MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 10th annual City of Marquette Art Week has begun. Throughout its decade of sharing the regions artistic styles, the summer tradition will be coming to an end this year with “The Final Chapter.”
Starting in 2015 as an Art Stroll event with the city’s Office of Art and Culture, the event has immensely grown. Each year, the week welcomes local artists, organizations, and businesses to collaborate by holding concerts, workshops, and exhibits throughout the community. This week will feature over 70 free installations and classes, comprised of over 150 local artists.
“The past 10 years have done so much for us in terms of understanding how to work with our partners, bring artists in, how to creatively use public spaces,” said Arts & Senior Services Coordinator, Tristan Luoma. “The community has embraced it.”
A large contribution to some of this week’s events are being made by The Gallery of downtown Marquette. The Gallery’s group of numerous artists are scheduled throughout the week with their own slices of art lessons and demonstrations throughout this year’s theme of ‘stories.’
“I’ve never had people sit down with me this long before and really listen,” said The Gallery artist, Don Wilson. “This was fun.”
With the announcement of its closure this year, the community is bittersweet, but hopes to keep these local celebrations alive in more events spread throughout the year, rather than across this one week.
“It’s absolutely bittersweet, I’m going to miss it dearly, but it’s just been a huge success,” said Luoma. “It’s grown like crazy, and I think we’re leaving at a good time to make room to support projects like this year round.”
“I think we’re all a little bit sad about that, but also understand the tremendous amount of work that goes into it,” said The Gallery artist, Colleen Maki. “Other things will be happening. Marquette is definitely an art town, very creative.”
To view the full schedule of events for the City of Marquette Art Week, visit MQTcompass.com
