Get Your Town An Arts Scene Like Grand Rapids: First Friday Art Walk

Last Friday I took a trip from Duluth to Grand Rapids for their First Friday Art Walk. It was a perfect early fall evening and the leaves were beginning to change.  I met wonderful people, enjoyed beautiful art, and listened to world-class music.

My first stop was at the Macrtostie Art Center for an exhibit by Dan Anderson, Concept of Self.

“My work is focused on the concept of “self” and how people identify themselves to the world around them. The process of my work is a mix of documentary, narrative and experimental. I travel to cultural events and document the activities, using experimental techniques to pull a sense of truth or deeper underlying identify out of my subjects. These will typically be rural community events such as parades or themed festivals. Most often I will shoot on analog Super 8mm or 16mm movie film, and edit the material as a movie or use select frames for prints and installations. My goal is to delve beneath the surface and find subconscious undertones and hints of absurdism behind seemingly mundane, daily-life interactions.”.

A visual artist, Dan was once the recipient of ARAC’s fellowship grant. If you’d like to learn more about him or his work check out his blog: http://cineplosion.blogspot.com 

I was blown away by the atmosphere and aesthetic that was created. It was an incredible show.

Once I got my fill, I trekked across the street to visit the artists in the attic. There to greet me with a warm smile was Mary Myers Corwin. She is also an ARAC grantee. Mary is drawing various veteran’s PTSD service dogs for an upcoming exhibit called Barnabas 22. She shared her moving story with me and gave me a little sneak peek of the exhibit.

Mary’s exhibit, Barnabas 22, will take place on October 22nd from 5-8 at the REIF center in Grand Rapids.

One last stop was to the Grant Rapids VFW Post 1720. There I enjoyed the sweet tunes of Sam Miltich and Friends. Sam has played jazz guitar all over the world. He is also an advocate for Mental Health Issues.

Check out Sam’s music at his website: https://www.sammiltichmusic.com/

Thank you to everyone in Grand Rapids that help make the First Friday Art Walk happen! To anyone who has never been, it is well worth the trip.