2023 Calendar of Events

Mar 23

The third annual Art Seen Festival will be June 3-4, 2023. We are so excited to be bringing back our community mural concept, where you can paint with us! We will be completing the Little Forks wall this year, nestled between year one’s The Fox and year two’s Home: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow murals. This wall is on the back of the Twice is Nice building Downtown, which shares a parking lot with Whichcraft Taproom. The parking lot is accessible off McDonald Street, between E Main Street and E Larkin Street.

We are also happy to announce that Art Seen Festival will have a second commissioned mural created this year at UpBeat Music Academy! This will be our first mural in Center City, at 109 E Ashman St., between Cambridge St and Saginaw Rd.

We are also pleased to have the return of acoustic performances by a variety of talented local musicians on Saturday and Sunday evenings, presented by The Blue Light Music Venue.

Although the event is completely free, your financial support is appreciated. Learn how to make a donation here, or make a cash donation the day of the event. A huge thank you goes out to all our sponsors and partners! Sponsors include: Ace Hardware, The Kepler Foundation, Members First Credit Union, Upbeat Music Academy, Hantz Financial, and many more.

Meet all the 2023 Sponsors!

Our vision:

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.

Public Arts Midland, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, has been the bridge to help link the Art Seen Festival together with Midland Center for the Arts Summer Art Fair, and Creative 360’s Art Speaks Festival to bring people together in one incredible art-filled weekend.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

11:00a-3:00p        LIVE Mural Painting with the Community at the Little Forks Mural Site*
11:00a-3:00p        LIVE Mural Painting to Observe at the UpBeat Mural Site**, with rock painting, ice cream, and music!
10:00a-5:00p Henna By Jenna, at Little Forks Mural Site*
05:30p-8:30p        LIVE The Blue Light acoustic musical performances at Little Forks Mural Site*

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

11:00a-3:00p        LIVE Mural Painting with the Community at the Little Forks Mural Site*
11:00a-3:00p        LIVE Mural Painting to Observe at the UpBeat Mural Site**
10:00a-5:00p Henna By Jenna, at Little Forks Mural Site*
05:30p-8:30p        LIVE The Blue Light acoustic musical performances at Little Forks Mural Site*

* The Little Forks Mural Site is on the rear parking lot of the Little Forks Outfitters/Twice is Nice building, which is located off of McDonald Street, between E Main Street and E Larkin Street in Downtown Midland. Look for The Fox!

** The UpBeat Mural Site is located at UpBeat Music Academy, in Center City Midland, at 109 E Ashman St., between Cambridge St and Saginaw Rd.