2022 Archive

Dec 31

Year two is in the books!

The 2022 festival included a beautiful large-scale community mural being painted by local artists Jazzmyn Benitez (enjoylifejazzmynbenitez.com), Dacia Parker (parkerlaneart.com), and their fantastic team! Community members were invited to paint the mural alongside the artist team and we were honored to witness many people experiencing the power of public art in Midland! This mural was sponsored in full by Ace Hardware! See Blackbird Rising in person at Ace Hardware, 419 E Main Street, in Downtown Midland.

We were so pleased to add a commissioned mural to the Art Seen Festival this year as well. Grand Rapids Artist Maddison Chaffer was selected to create their Midland influenced mural, Home (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow), on the back of the Little Forks Outfitters building. This mural was sponsored in full by Members First Credit Union and is located in the rear parking lot, accessible off McDonald St, between E Main St. and E Larkin St.

Art Seen Festival seeks to strengthen our Midland County, Michigan, community through vibrant mural making and live performances. Accessible public art is a meaningful way to connect people to feel seen, heard, and included. Art inspires us and propels us forward while bringing voice to diverse experiences, and people. Art is a catalyst for belonging, and supports a community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.

It was a wonderful weekend, despite being rained out on Sunday. It was a joy to connect with so many community members and we can’t wait to do it again in June 2023.

See a full list of our sponsors and partners in 2022 here.

Become a volunteer or sponsor for 2023 here.

See the map of all of our murals here.

We hope you enjoy the photos below. If you have any photos you would like to submit to the archive please email us at artseenfestival@gmail.com!