Art Seen Festival 2022

Welcome to the 2022 Art Seen Festival Archive

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.

Blackbird Rising – Community Mural by Jazz Benitez & Dacia Parker

Located at Ace Harware at 419 E Main St, Midland, MI 48640.

Home (Yesterday, Today, Tonorrow) – by Eddie Chaffer

Located in the parking lot behind Little Forks Outfitters. Closest address is 123 McDonald St, Midland, MI 48640.

2022 Meet the Artists

We are thrilled to bring you two new murals at the 2022 Art Seen Festival! The Ace Hardware mural, sponsored by Ace Hardware, will be a community mural, where you can pick up a brush and be a part of the fun. Ace Hardware is located at 419 E Main St, Midland, MI 48640. The Little Forks mural, sponsored by Members First Credit Union, is in the rear parking lot behind Little Forks Outfitters. You can access this lot off of McDonald St, between E Larkin St and Main St.

The Ace Hardware mural concept was created by local artists Jazzmyn Benitez and Dacia Parker, who will lead a team of artists to make this community mural happen. The Little Forks mural artist was selected by the Art Seen Festival Committee after we released a call for artist submissions earlier this year. After reviewing over seventy applications from artists all around the world, we are so pleased to announce that Michigan native, Maddison Chaffer was selected.

Learn more about this year’s lead artists below.

Meet Eddie Chaffer

Eddie Chaffer, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been selected as our Little Forks muralist for the 2022 Art Seen Festival! Eddie has been working as a muralist professionally for two years now and apprenticed for the two years prior. They have worked with Lansing’s Below The Stacks (2019) Festival, Grand Rapids’ After Dark (2020), Dwelling Place‘s Heartside Mural Festival (2021 and 2022), and Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize (2021 and 2022).

Of their work, Eddie says, “I love mural work because, when done really well, it functions as a universal language. Like music and facial expressions, public art can transcend literacy, education level, cultural background, and social class. My murals explore evolutionary science and social history in bright, simple illustrations that aim to render concepts accessible to anyone who passes by. With public art, I can make ideas available to people who may not otherwise feel comfortable in a science/history museum (a lot of reading) or an art museum (kind of elitist; way too air conditioned). I aim to design murals in a way that is engaging and thought-provoking so that folks can continue to find new elements over time.

I’ve been working as a muralist for several years now in west and mid Michigan, and take great pride in my home state’s cultural and natural history. My work is deeply informed by place; whether that be the business for whom I’m painting, the neighborhood in which a mural is located, or the ecological landscape of a city. Even though I’m not a Midland native, I wanted to approach a design with this same ethos of honoring the city that you call home. Through historic and ecological research, virtual site visits, and feedback from my trusty Facebook foraging group, I’ve designed a Midland-themed mural that I’m truly excited to share with you.”

We are thrilled for you to see the thoughtful and beautiful design Eddie has created for our town! Be sure to stop by and say hello and watch the painting unfold, in the parking lot behind Little Forks Outfitters, off McDonald Street, between E Larkin and Main St. on June 4th and 5th, between 11am-5pm!!

Learn more at sonvisualco.com
Instagram: @son.visual

You may recognize the names Jazzmyn Benitez and Dacia Parker from the 2021 Art Seen Festival! These two talented artists are on the Art Seen Festival committee and work diligently all year to make this event a success. Their teamwork, leadership, and heart for our community make them the perfect pair to lead their team of artists to another beautiful, interactive community mural. You can pick up a brush and make your mark on the Ace Hardware mural, located at 419 E Main St, Midland, MI 48640, on Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5, between 11am-5pm.

Meet Jazzmyn

Jazzmyn Benitez is an artist from southern CA, currently living and working in Midland, MI. Art has always been a tool to help her overcome adversity and depression in her life, and also a way to connect with others and herself on a deeper level. Her capability to open her heart, mind and eyes has given Jazzmyn the opportunity to tap into her “higher power” and as she states, “become a vessel” for what is to be created through her.

Since 2017 Jazzmyn has worked closely with Parker Lane Art & Design Studio and is their head instructor. She also works as the Operations Manager of Live Oak Coffeehouse where she enjoys tapping into the heart of its patrons. Jazzmyn’s connections in the community have given her opportunities in 2019 to create murals for businesses around Bay City & Midland. In the summer of 2019 she was awarded the opportunity to work with Midland Area Youth Action Council to create a public mural called “Change” on the Circle Auto Parts Building on Patrick & Washington in Midland, which led her to co-create with Gessica Garber, of Gg Inspires, on the Emergency Food Pantry mural “People Helping People.” Summer of 2020 she worked with the Community of Mental Health to create a mural in their waiting room to help create a colorful & bright mural for the staff & their patience to enjoy. She also organized a group of artists to paint the barricade cement blocks on main. Being a member of Public Arts Midland Committee she is excited to see what comes next for Midlands Creative spaces, she states, “Midland’s downtown has a few ‘canvases’ she’d like to help bring to life.” Working closely with Art Seen Festival in 2021, she partnered with Dacia Parker to create the “Fox” mural to kick off the annual festival. She says, “painting alongside community members is something I’ve always loved about mural making. It gives me the chance to share this dream with kids who may have the same dream, giving them a chance to see that they can grow up to be artists if that’s what they want to do.”

Along with creating murals, Jazzmyn makes specialty art pieces made with acrylic as well. Working with Walker Custom Carpentry to build frames for her work, to display classically in your home.

Jazzmyn’s positive outlook on life and capacity to pour into others can often be seen and felt in the art that she creates. In her social media posts as well as in person, she uses her art to point to the beauty found in the world and she hopes to influence people to enjoy life through art.

Learn more at enjoylifejazzmynbenitez.com
Instagram: @enjoylifejzb
Email: enjoylifejzb@gmail.com

Meet Dacia

Midland, MI based artpreneur, Dacia Livingston Parker received her first oil paint set at age seven which sparked a myriad of artistic ventures. She has loved expressing her creativity through various media ever since. After graduating from The University of Michigan School of Art and Design with a BFA, Dacia and her husband moved to the Seattle area for 13 years. Deeply inspired by the ocean, mountains, and natural beauty in that part of the country, her work evolved to include those elements. It was in Seattle that Dacia built her professional portrait photography business while honing her craft in art galleries and engaging with the possibilities offered by digital media. In recent years, Dacia has ventured back into painting and working with cyanotypes where her love of the elements – water, mountains and nature continues to inform her work.

Since coming home to Michigan in 2006, Dacia has been involved in the local arts community, doing photography, and developing educational programming for Captured Studios in the Ashman Plaza. She rebranded as Parker Lane Art & Design Studios in 2018 to offer a space for creative instruction and development for emerging artists. Dacia is co-chair of Public Arts Midland, has worked to help establish the community mural making event known as Art Seen Festival, and helps coordinate artistic projects for other groups.

A phrase Dacia believes wholeheartedly is “ART is for Everyone”, and one of the ways she hopes to perpetuate this is by encouraging and mentoring artists, and by making local art more available and accessible through the Ashman Plaza and other venues.

Learn more at http://parkerlane.art

Behind the Mural: Home (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow)

Today we want to deep dive into the story behind Grand Rapids Artist Eddie Chaffer’s mural from the 2022 Art Seen Festival: Home (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow).

This beautiful mural is located on the back of the Little Forks Outfitters building and was sponsored in full by Members First Credit Union! Stop by and see it in person, in the parking lot behind Little Forks Outfitters, off McDonald Street, between E Larkin and Main St., in Downtown, Midland, Michigan. Check out our map for more details.

Here’s a look into the thoughtful meaning of this mural, from Maddie’s application:
“My work is deeply informed by place; whether that be the business for whom I’m painting, the neighborhood in which a mural is located, or the ecological landscape of a city. Even though I’m not a Midland native, I wanted to approach a design with this same ethos of honoring the city that you call home. Through historic and ecological research, virtual site visits, and feedback from my trusty Facebook foraging group, I’ve designed a Midland-themed mural that I’m truly excited to share with you.

I wanted to explore the broad concept of home in the specific context of Midland. Secondarily, I’m touching on the theme of past, present, and future. A Midland house (based on a real house on East Haley Street!) is the centerpiece of this mural, but humans are not the only species to call this area home. Fungi, plants, and animals have populated this same landscape for thousands of years, and continue to coexist with us to this day. If we take care to preserve our natural landscape, we will continue to share this home for many years to come.

A Midland house is the focal point of this mural to communicate the central theme of “home.” The house is surrounded by a variety of native fungi and plant species to represent how we share this environment with many other lifeforms. Together, this section of the mural symbolizes the present—a peaceful cohabitation.

I’ve depicted oyster and morel mushrooms, wild leeks, apple blossoms, and cherry blossoms. These species were chosen for important reasons. Midland is actually a forager’s dream—the parks and nature preserves are filled with wild leeks and oyster mushrooms, and every spring Michiganders from around the state travel to Midland in search of the elusive morel (myself included). Lastly, the apple and cherry blossoms represent two of the most common fruits grown in our state.

To illustrate Midland’s past, I’ve included a silhouetted woolly mammoth in the upper left corner. A story about an intact mammoth skeleton found in Midland County was actually one of the first articles to pop up in my research. Mammoths were common in this area 24,000 years ago. In the context of the design, the mammoth represents how Midland has served as a “home” for thousands of years. This land has always provided for the lifeforms that live here, and hopefully always will. This brings me to the final branch of the design.

A robin with an unhatched egg symbolizes Midland’s future. At once a sign of hope and a word of warning, the robin egg represents the delicacy of a balanced ecosystem. We have a bright future to look forward to, given that we take the necessary precautions to care for the present. By treating our homes with care, we ensure that our children inherit them in the future.

Obviously, the robin is also our state bird. A few other miscellaneous details are as follows: the moon cycles in the upper left corner represent the passage of time (past, present, future). The eastern shoreline of Michigan is subtly threaded between different elements of the mural, most obviously where the robin sits in Michigan’s thumb. With Saginaw Bay indicated to the right side of the house, it’s implied once again that Midland represents home. Not as subtly is a hand in the upper right corner. A star sits where one would point to Midland. The hand is included as a lighthearted reference to my favorite Michigander habit of pointing to cities on our hands.”

Meet the Blue Light Artists

We are thrilled to bring you two evenings full of local musicians, brought to you by The Blue Light Studio, here in Midland. Saturday June 4th, and Sunday June 5th, from 5-9:30pm, musical performances will be next to the Little Forks Mural site, in the rear parking lot behind Little Forks Outfitters. You can access this lot off of McDonald St, between E Larkin St and Main St. We also have to send out a big thank you to Walker Custom Carpentry for building our stage for these performances too.

Bring your own chair or blanket, food or drinks, to enjoy the unfolding mural art and these incredible musicians.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

5:00p-5:15p Kevin B Klien
5:20p-5:50p Copper Cat
5:55p-6:15p The Wise-Hill Duo (Jacob Wisenbach and Hillary Huebler)
6:25p-6:40p Meg & Jolie
6:45p-7:15p Jolie Wing
7:20p-8:40p Peter Barbeau
8:45p-9:30p Noah Schieber & the ll act

SUNDAY, JUNE 5
5:00p-5:15p Michael Webber
5:20p-5:40p John Louis Good
5:45p-6:15p Truth Jones
6:20p-6:35p Kristen Goodall
6:45p-7:15p Joe Morgan
7:20p-8:40p Seth Allen
8:45p-9:30p Jaron & Kalysta

Learn more about some of this year’s musical artists below.

A Word About the Blue Light Studio

Founded by artist Jazzmyn Benitez, The Blue Light Studio’s mission is to serve musicians and storytellers as they cultivate their talents to connect with their audience in meaningful and transformative ways.

See regular live ‘Livingroom Session’ performances in the Live Oak Coffeehouse Midtown location, in the Makers Room. Follow The Blue Light Studio on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest.

Learn more about The Blue Light

Meet the Musicians

**Peter Barbeau, Tristan Brewer, Bruce Matthews, Carlee Olenczuk**
IG: @peter_barbeau @tristan26140 @brucematthewsofficial @carlee_olenczuk
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
While not the earliest, going to my first concert had a huge impact on me. Just seeing the showmanship and the artistry of performing on stage, I knew it was something I wanted to chase.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
The Front Bottoms.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Public art allows for a lot of self expression as an individual. It’s cool seeing something that you made or did have an impact on your community. Public art also is transformative, different people can have different interpretations of the same art.
*Support:* Venmo @peter_barbeau

**“Copper Cat” / Sarah Evans and Tyler Benoit**
IG/FB: @coppercatcollective
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
One of my (Sarah Evans) earliest memories of music was being about 5 years old and watching parts of the Phantom of the Opera. I wanted to learn all of the songs and I remember how captivating it felt to me. I loved to sing the songs around my house and tried to learn how to play the melodies by ear on my keyboard. I often think that’s where my love for music began.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Regina Spektor.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
It gives people the opportunity to express themselves and value others’ life experiences and expressions. I believe public art allows for deeper connection within the community.
*Support:* Venmo saevans_01

**Michael Webber**
IG: @michaelwebbermusic
FB: Michael Webber Music
YouTube
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
My earliest memory is dancing around to the radio with my brother. I was probably three or four but have been stuck on music ever since.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Pat Metheny and Duke Ellington. Bill Frisell. He is a sonic explorer and such a creative force in jazz guitar. His music is so emotionally powerful that it carries me away every time I hear it.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Art is culture, no matter the medium. We need public art to help express that culture for all to see. Just like a concert or a play, public artwork is a crucial part of expressing ourselves in our community.
Support: PayPal @michaeljwebber

**John Louis Good/John Louis Good & The Rose City Troubadours**
FB + IG: @johnlouisgood
Amazon Music
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
Being taught how to play the spoons by my elderly neighbor.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Fred Eaglesmith.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Greatly, art reflects the mindset of the community in which its created in.
*Support*: PayPal @johnlouisgood
Cashapp $JLGRCT
Venmo @JohnLouisGood

**Kevin B. Klien**
FB, Twitter, TikTok: @kevinbklein
IG: @kevin.b.klein
Soundcloud
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
When I was very little listening to the radio in the car heading up to the UP of Michigan where my family owned a restaurant. I would think of how great it sounded and that is what I wanted to do. It touched me and I would sing my heart out from the backseat.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
The band Europe.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
It gives the artist a chance to showcase their art/creativity and to share their soul with others. Art is the most beautiful expression a person can share of oneself and it brings the community together to absorb it! Art makes the world go round and we would all be lost without it !

**Kalysta and Jaron – Kalysta Sylvester Jaron Jock**
@kalystaofficial on all social media // “Kalysta” on ALL music platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc)
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
Since I can remember, music has impacted my heart and soul! I grew up in a household that was constantly playing music. Some of my family hails from Detroit, so Motown, soulful music, and the oldies were almost always played. My mother would sing to me and my sister in the car and I picked up on it very young. I was a very shy little girl who couldn’t even speak to order my food at a restaurant (I was too afraid). But when I SANG, I was not shy. It was my time to fully be myself -to be confident and let the most joyful parts of the soul out for everyone to hear. Now, singing/performing is my therapy. I am the happiest, and most comfortable when I’m lost in my music, and able to exchange energy between the audience. Music has always been a constant for me in this ever-changing and sometimes scary world. It gives me peace. It is a piece of history that will be here for generations to come, and I am lucky enough to have written some songs of my own that are out now for all to hear and hopefully the listeners feel some solace or happiness from them as well.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
I have a wide range of music taste! I would say right now, Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” picks me up when I need it. As for a go-to band, KC and the Sunshine Band ALWAYS brings me nostalgic vibes, and gets me feeling ready to take on the day. “Silk Sonic” band does as well, as of late.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
I think public art is an absolute necessity for every community. The arts are crucial to all, and especially the youth. The most creative parts of people, the non-debatable, purest form of the soul – is art. As Stevie Wonder says, “music is a language we all understand.” It is where, despite our differences and beliefs, we can come together as one and rejoice in the arts and music. Especially as a young person, who is trying to find themselves, art is an EXCELLENT way to express feelings or what might not be so easy to say. I may be bias, but I think that is one of the most beautiful things that we as a people can be a part of and participate in. When there is a tight-knit community, the arts are like a glue – keeping it together in the best of ways. It gives people of ALL ages the chance to express themselves fully and unapologetically. For a community to provide opportunities for the arts to be at the forefront, I think that is such a positive privilege! Especially with everything going on in the world, we need to be closer and connect on something … the arts in our community is the perfect way to start.
*Support:* Venmo Kalysta-Sylvester
PayPal Kalysta Sylvester

**Kristine D. Goodwin**
FB @KristineSings
Kristine Goodwin on Reverbnation, Spotify & Apple Music & Amazon as Kristine D. Goodwin, SongstressKris on Instagram, KristineGoodwinMusic.com
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
Listening to a dubbed cassette copy of Les Miserables in my bedroom as a teen. I hadn’t seen the show yet but the music told an incredibly powerful story.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Joss Stone.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Public art expands our notions of our community by displaying diverse perspectives and yet showing us all the ways we are connected to one another.
*Support*: PayPal.me/KristineSings

**Truth Jones**
IG: @truthjones
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
In 5th grade I got in trouble for dancing on the risers during our performance! It was down hill from there.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Anything Drake, Jcole , or Tom Misch. Jcole forever.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Personally I think public art is something Midland could use more of! We are an evolving town and bringing more arts to the community would only make us more diverse! I’d love love to see them impact Midland more! Being in Atlanta you see that art is a true form of expression.
*Support:* Cashapp $truthjonesmusic

**Jolie Wing**
IG: @jolie_wing
YouYube: jolie wing
Soundcloud: jolie wing
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
Watching and listening to my dad play piano my whole life. It sounds as easy as breathing for him when he improvs.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
Lake Street Dive or Cage the Elephant.
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
Art takes the indescribable emotions all of us experience and makes it tangible and that creates the deepest connections you can have. Events like this that draw in the community and give us a platform to create those connections. That, for me, is what keeps life beautiful.
*Support:* Venmo joliewing

**The Wise-Hill Duo** Jacob Wisenbach and Hillary Huebler
*What is your earliest memory of when music impacted your life?*
Singing along with the radio in the car with my mom. My first band director praising me for discovering lip slurs. My grandfather talking about Louis Armstrong.
*Who is your go to musician or band for when you need a pick me up?*
John Coltrane. Tom Harrell. Bill Evans. Many others across many styles due to the nostalgia of my musical journey (rock/grunge, classical, etc).
*How do you think public art impacts our community?*
A beautiful mural in an otherwise industrial area can remind us that life isn’t just about work, eat, and sleep, but to also stop and enjoy ourselves.
*Support:* Venmo @JacobWisenbach

2022 Photo Archive

2022 Meet the Sponsors

Art Seen Festival would not be possible without these incredible community supporters. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity to support our mission to strengthen our Midland County community through vibrant mural making and live performances. We truly believe accessible public art is a meaningful way to connect people to feel seen, heard, and included.