City of Saginaw, Michigan

September 21, 2020 SAGINAW, MI–The public is invited to join the Great Mural Project and the City of Saginaw on Saturday, September 26 from 10am to 10pm for the Great Mural Project Paint-A-Thon Event along the intersections of Court Street between Michigan and Fordney Avenue. 

This project will enhance the three intersections along Court Street with colorful asphalt
paintings in the intersections and crosswalks. 7 local artists will be creating the three asphalt mural designs throughout the day on September 26. The seven artists have collaborated closely over the last month with a diverse committee of local leaders to create asphalt art that celebrates the diversity in the Saginaw community. The team of talented artists includes Lark Allen, Nyesha Clark-Young, Stephan Hargash, Geoffrey Pelkey, Laura Mettam, Jesse Schmidt, and Tristan Zamora. The public is invited to join the artists to help create a portion of the murals.

Everyone is invited to come out and watch the asphalt transformation, listen to live music, and enjoy a delicious meal from local restaurants. Talented local musicians will be performing throughout the day including Joe Bonham, BADLND, The Fireside Wake, and DJ Daniel McCall. Several local restaurants in Old Town will be providing free samples for a limited time throughout the day for guests to enjoy. Everyone is  encouraged to support the many local businesses in Old Town that will be open during their regular business hours on September 26. 
Social distancing guidelines will be implemented and face masks are required when inside local businesses. 

The Paint-A-Thon Event is made possible through the funding received from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative Grant. The $25,000 grant was awarded to the Great Mural Project in July of 2020. Through this grant and the art it creates, the group hopes to remake Saginaw streets, improve public safety, inspire people, attract visitors, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Funding was also provided to the Great Mural Project through a grant received from the Downtown Development Authority. Together, both grants have helped to support 30 local artists for their creative skills in visual arts, musical performance, and culinary arts. All the artists involved recognize the importance of this project and what it signifies for the Saginaw community. 

“I am a mixed-media artist with a strong interest in community-based projects. I believe that The Great Mural asphalt project is an excellent way to promote and bring awareness to the diversity of the Saginaw community and the many things this city has to offer.”--Lark Allen, lead artist. 

“The additional support from The City of Saginaw and The Great Mural Project will help
make this a true community event by inviting the public to witness the transformation of the streets. I’m thrilled to be a part of this project, and I’m happy that the City of Saginaw continues to demonstrate a strong interest in joining the ranks of other communities around the world where public art is embraced and celebrated.”--Laura Mettam, assistant artist.

The city will be closing Court Street from 7am on Saturday, September 26 to 5am Monday, September 28 to provide adequate time to complete the murals and to allow the paint to dry. Detour routes will be provided.

Come join us--enjoy some delicious food, listen to some great music and check out these local artists as they create a Saginaw masterpiece--Saturday September 26th 10am to 10 pm!

To learn how you can get involved with the Great Mural Project, visit
https://www.greatmuralproject.com/

For additional information about the Asphalt Art Initiative, visit Asphalt Art Initiative.

ABOUT BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in more than 570 cities and over 160 countries around the world to ensurebetter, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation and personal
philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2019, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok.
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