The Sparta Art Walk program, hosted by the West Michigan Arts Council (WMAC) and the Sparta Chamber of Commerce, will begin on September 1st and continue through October 31st. This new program features original art from local Michigan artists placed inside Sparta businesses throughout the downtown Sparta Social District area. Each Sparta venue with a work of art displayed inside will have an “Art Venue” poster visible from outside and will also be featured on a map provided free to Sparta visitors.
Similar programs in other communities have been very successful in bringing visitors into local businesses to view local artists’ work increasing interest and sales for those businesses. WMAC Executive Director Linda Humbert said, “With so many tremendously talented local artists in the West Michigan area, this program is another way to show their work in local communities, building interest in these artists while increasing traffic and sales for local businesses.”
For 2024, the program is being concentrated in the downtown Sparta Social District area. Each participating business will receive a sign to place in view of passers-by to encourage foot traffic to stop in, view the art, and potentially make purchases while at that business.
Participating artists will work with the West Michigan Arts Council to provide a juried work for display, maintain replacement pieces if the original selection sells during the program period, and retrieve their art after the program ends on October 31.
Many of these artists provided images of their work printed in the highly successful 2024 calendar project produced by the Arts Council last year. WMAC is in the process of designing a 2025 calendar, also featuring local artists, and plans to have copies available for sale at the Sparta Chamber offices and local businesses.
There is no charge to businesses to display a work of art and Sparta business owners are encouraged to select and maintain a location inside their location to display the art while encouraging visitors and art lovers to spend time shopping and supporting local businesses.
More information about this annual Sparta Art Walk program is available on the West Michigan Arts Council website: wmartsc.org.
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