ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — Downtown Allen Park is turning into a live canvas this weekend as Paint the Park returns with murals, vendors, and free art activities.
Eight muralists will be painting large-scale works of art on business walls throughout downtown, more than 50 artists will be selling their work, and after dark, the art will light up the streets.
Due to potential severe weather, Paint the Park festivities will be held only on Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. Admission is free.
"It's some of the best artwork I've ever seen," Donnie Collier
The murals are the main attraction, but the weekend festival also features live demonstrations and free hands-on art activities. Visitors can also shop from more than 50 local artists and vendors.
Jamie Hora, with the Allen Park Downtown Development Authority, said:
"Last year we had eight murals painted throughout the city, they were such a huge success that this year we decided to expand on the project."
The vendor and activity offerings span a wide range of artistic disciplines, Hora said.
"Wood-working, metal-working, glass, ceramics."
The muralists will be working throughout the weekend to finish their pieces. Hora said the goal isn't just to add color to downtown — it's to bring more people to Allen Park.
"It's bringing people into Allen Park that maybe wouldn't have been here otherwise."
One of the featured muralists is Paul Watty from Holland.
"People like the process most," Watty said.
"I think you feel honored that you can do this, do something for the community."
Artist Michelle Tanguay helped spark the mural movement downriver and says the murals are designed to give people a reason to stop, shop, and spend more time in Allen Park.
"I was asked to paint a mural on Grosse Ile that turned into me producing a mural festival in Trenton and now Allen Park and it's just been really amazing," Tanguay said.
Tanguay says community support has exceeded expectations.
"You know it's one thing when you meet with a DDA and you're like, hey I have this vision, these murals are going to spread, it seems very abstract. It's like who's this artist, but the support from the community has been truly overwhelming."
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