MUSKEGON, MI – Two Muskegon women are leading an effort to make the lakeshore more vibrant through 75 public murals.
Jenni Schuitema and Christine Mattson launched the 75Walls project last spring.
“We’re just trying to create more beauty in Muskegon and help cover the walls that need it,” said Mattson.
The name 75Walls originated as Mattson’s old phone number then became a band. It’s now the women’s mission.
Mattson and Schuitema coordinate each mural by fundraising, connecting with local artists and partnering with businesses to paint their walls.
“It’s a way to remind people that there’s a lot of lakeshore here, a lot of beauty here and artists,” said Schuitema.
Related: Muskegon artist painting mural on shipping container at beachfront restaurant
Two murals have been completed and a third is underway.
The first was painted on the corner of Estes Street and Lakeshore Drive.
Local artist Jimmy Cobb completed the mural on a building that greets passengers on the Lake Express, the ferry that runs across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon.
“That’s where the ferry people come in. It was the first thing they see was this blank, ugly building. So now it’s this beautiful sailboat,” said Mattson.
Angie Mattson painted the second mural “Siren’s Catch” in August 2020 on a wall of Torresen Marine, 3003 Lakeshore Drive. The sprawling piece features a fisherman gripping a rope that leads to an anchor in a siren’s hand.
A successful fundraising campaign collected over $2,500 in a week to lay the groundwork for the third mural.
Cobb will be painting two additional sides of the building on Estes Street. Work begins July 12 on the project inspired by the ferry and wildlife in Muskegon Lake and Ruddiman Creek.
Completing 75 murals is a big goal, but the project is tackling one wall at a time. Schuitema says they aim to do two or three a season.
“It’s just kind of dependent on how much people are willing to give and people are being pretty generous,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to do another one in August or September.”
Related: Artists begin revamping Muskegon’s rusty railroad bridge with eye-catching murals
Public art in Muskegon is gaining momentum with the MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative working to install 10 pieces of art — including murals on railroad overpasses and Mercy Health Arena.
Local businesses and organizations like The Deck and the Muskegon YMCA also commissioned local artists to paint murals this summer.
Schuitema said she wanted to be a part of “spurring that on.”
75Walls has focused most of its efforts on the Lakeside neighborhood to beautify the thoroughfare from downtown Muskegon to the lakeshore.
“We’re in the middle of a revitalization with downtown growing. And this is going to be that strip between the beach and downtown because you can literally follow this all the way as it curves down,” said Schuitema. “So, we thought this is the perfect place to start.”
More information about 75Walls and donating to the project can be found on its Facebook and Instagram pages or by contacting murals@75walls.com.
More on MLive:
Muskegon County 8-year-old mowing 50 lawns for free ‘to help people’
Downtown Muskegon’s Western Avenue will close for Fourth of July festivities
Truck driver searches for stranger who held his hand after ‘terrifying’ crash
"blank" - Google News
July 03, 2021 at 06:01PM
https://ift.tt/36aTAGS
Muskegon project envisions turning 75 blank walls into murals - MLive.com
"blank" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3aXU3fw
https://ift.tt/2Wij67R
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Muskegon project envisions turning 75 blank walls into murals - MLive.com"
Post a Comment