Join us for Art Walk Central 2024, an exhilarating celebration of creativity and community spirit! Spanning August 1-24, 2024, our annual art competition transforms local venues into vibrant galleries showcasing the talent of artists from various age groups.

New this year, Art Walk Central will feature three distinct categories catering to different age demographics: Adults aged 20 and older, teenagers between 13 and 19, and our youngest artists up to age 12 all have the opportunity to participate and share their artistic visions.

Throughout the event, visitors can explore a diverse array of artworks displayed across our community venues. From traditional paintings to innovative sculptures, each piece offers a unique perspective and insight into the artist's creativity.

Artists vie for recognition in two prestigious categories: Judges' Choice and People's Choice. While our expert judges evaluate the submissions based on artistic merit and originality to select the Judges' Choice winners, visitors have the opportunity to cast their votes for the People's Choice awards, empowering them to champion their favorite artworks.

Art Walk Central is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of artistic expression, community, and the power of art to unite and inspire. Whether you're an avid art enthusiast, a budding artist eager to showcase your talent, or simply looking for a cultural experience that ignites the imagination, Art Walk Central promises an unforgettable journey through creativity and community. Join us as we embark on this extraordinary artistic adventure together!

Art Walk Central Venues

Art Reach of Mid Michigan

For Art’s Sake

Gray’s Furniture & Boutique

GreenTree Co-Op Market

Isabella Bank

Pleasant City Coffee

Outdoor Spaces

Sleepy Dog Books

University Art Gallery

Veterans Memorial Library

DATES TO REMEMBER

Artist Registration: May 1- June 14, 2024

AWC 2024 art installation: July 25-29, 2024

Art Walk Central 2024 begins: August 1, 2024

Kids Market: August 3, 2024

Artists Battle: August 4, 2024

Artist Critiques: August 9, 2024

Artist Reception/Judges Roundtable: August 9, 2024

AWC 2024 voting ends: Noon August 20, 2024

AWC 2024 winners announced: 3 pm Aug. 20, 2024

Art Walk Central 2024 ends: August 24, 2024

Meet The Judges

Leslie Donaldson is proven strategist, resourceful nonprofit leader, passionate educator, and seasoned visual artist interested in strengthening the work of communities, creative entrepreneurs, and the arts. She has developed and led complex initiatives in creative placemaking, community engagement, strategic planning, fund development, grants management, program development, and event planning. She possesses strong communication, project management, and organizational skills with a high attention to detail. Her artwork, which is often inspired by local identity, design, found objects, and memory, is driven by her passion for symbols, systems, and patterns.

For more information, visit www.lesliedonaldson.com/contact

Joey Quiñones brings an interdisciplinary approach to Fiber. They incorporate research and conceptual development into their own expansive art practice. Their work has been shown widely with exhibitions at the Belger Arts Center, the Akron Art Museum, and Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati.

They were a finalist for the Manifest Gallery Annual Prize and were recognized for their work by the James Renwick Alliance Chrysalis Award. They have had residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, and Arts/Industry Residency at Kohler. Their work is in the collections of the Belger Arts Center, Wylie House Museum, and John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

For more information, visit www.joeyquinones.com