The Art Seen Festival celebrates its fifth year of community mural making and features performances by local musicians brought to you by The Blue Light. The festival is hosted by Public Arts Midland, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation. It will take place on May 31, 2025, at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during their Summer Reading Kick-off event!
This year’s mural comprises five vignettes spanning nearly 100 square feet in the library’s “backyard.” Each vignette was designed by a local muralist but will have a unified theme. Muralists Alexis Bearinger (Midland), Selena Bender (Bay City), Amy Mudd (Sanford), Kayla Peake (Saginaw), and Mark Piotrowski (Bay City) were selected for the project, which Dacia Parker and Jazz Benitez are facilitating with Parker Lane Art & Design Studios. Art Seen’s unique paint-by-number approach lets you leave your mark on one of Midland’s most treasured landmarks.
Library Director Miriam Andrus shared, “When we selected the summer reading theme for this year (Color Your World), coupled with our desire to spruce up our backyard, we were excited to connect with Art Seen for this opportunity. We can’t wait to see the community come together to celebrate reading and art. In addition to music and the mural, we’ll have events for all ages, food trucks, crafts, bounce houses, temporary tattoos, and more!”
“This year, we had an opportunity to partner with the library, and we couldn’t pass it up. We are thrilled to have such talented muralists, all with their own unique styles, contribute to this design. It’s going to be an amazing day,” said Annie Stout, co-chair and one of the Art Seen Festival founders.
Unique this year: win the chance to have your name hidden in the mural! For each donation of $25, you get one entry into a drawing at 4 pm on May 31. Donations will be used to support the preservation of the murals and future events. Donate on site or at https://www.midlandfoundation.org/fund/artseenfestival.