Wellspring Literary Series Completes 11th Year of Arts Programming

Public access to the arts in Isabella County is often problematic due to the price of tickets.

The Wellspring Literary Series, founded and facilitated by Robert Fanning, is a free annual community event series hosted by Art Reach of Mid Michigan that provides free programming to the community featuring the work of musicians, writers, and poets.

Thanks to the Russ Herron Poetry Fund at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, community members in Isabella County are able to participate in enriching and diverse programming each year. The free events include Michigan art, poetry, music, and complementary food from Max & Emily’s restaurant.

Some features of the program include poetry readings by Michigan poets and Central Michigan University (CMU) students, as well as musical performances by musicians from CMU’s School of Music. The program completed its 11th year and was made possible with the support of their partners, CMU’s English department and Max & Emily’s.

More than 150 attendees enjoyed musical entertainment and poetry presentations from prominent poets at the two events held earlier this year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event featured Jason Irwin and Jen Ashburn, followed by student reader Amanda Olsen with music by CMU student saxophone sextet. The November event highlighted poetry by Michelle Penaloza, followed by student reader Jordan Gakle and music by Joe Hertler.

The Wellspring Literary Series has become well known throughout the state and continues to be a quality program with a strong support base each year from community members, musicians, writers, and poets.

Art Walk Central Immerses the Community in Art

Two girls coloring and taking part in Art Walk Central

Art Walk Central is an annual juried art competition and exhibit hosted by Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Art submitted for the event is displayed downtown and in the surrounding areas throughout the month of August.

Art Reach was awarded a grant in both 2018 and 2019 from the W. Sidney and Judith French Smith Community Fund to support Art Walk Central.

During the event, an abundance of free programs are offered for both youth and adults, to provide opportunities to create art and experience other art mediums. The grant helps to supplement the expenses associated with programming, such as staff or supply expenses.

“Free programming is great for the community and it allows us to meet our mission of keeping the arts alive and accessible for everyone, but there are expenses,” Amy Powell, Executive Director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, said. “This grant allows us to have some income for those programs that we want to put on for free in the community.”

On average, over 100 artists participate in Art Walk Central each year with an estimated 4,500 people engaging with art during the event.

“The more art we can bring, the more experiences we have for people in the community to see cool, unique, thought-provoking art - for free,” Powell said.

Patron looking at chalk art on the sidewalk during Art Walk Central