Krapohl supports organization’s goal of making art accessible to all
More than 300 colorful banners are on display in Mount Pleasant, Union Township, Shepherd and at McLaren Central Michigan as part of the annual Festival of Banners put on by Art Reach of Mid Michigan.
The Festival of Banners also has meaning for Mark Smith, general manager and co-owner of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Smith and current Art Reach board member George Rouman were among a group of Mount Pleasant leaders who served on Vision 2020 two decades ago. The banners were one of many ideas to come from the various committees, and the ongoing success of the festival has been maintained by Art Reach.
“I like the banner festival,” Smith said. “My kids, our employees’ and friends’ kids participate in it. It’s fun to go around and find them. The banners create a festive atmosphere around town.”
Art Reach offers a variety of classes for children and adults such as painting, drawing, photography and crafts.
As Art Reach of Mid Michigan celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is one of the sponsors of the Festival of Banners. Art Reach is one of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s 12 community partners this year and will be featured on the Krapohl Facebook page in June.
Amy Powell, executive director of Art Reach, said the Festival of Banners is an example of making art accessible to all in the community.
“We want kids, older adults and those without extra funds for recreation to engage in the arts,” Powell said. “With the Festival of Banners, we end up with public art hanging in the community.”
Brian Smith and Kay Krapohl Smith, Mark Smith’s parents, encouraged his love of art.
“They were passionate about art: music, dance, sculptures, paintings,” he said. “We always had some bizarre art in our house, often from local artists. Dad’s from England and was in Denmark for 10 years. He was in bands and played guitar. They both liked performance art. Mom did some singing and dancing. They were also involved with theater at CMU.”
Smith’s home has several pieces of art purchased from the Art Reach gallery and his wife, Shelly, and their sons took an online painting class during the COVID lockdown.
Art Reach is much more than banners
Explore the Art Reach website for a full listing of classes.
Art Reach, located in downtown Mount Pleasant, offers a variety of classes taught by artists. Many are skill-building courses, such as one earlier this year on drawing fundamentals. The eight-week class explored the practice and theories of drawing with pencils.
“We also have classes in watercolors, colored pencils, photography — we’re getting a lot of requests for photography,” she said. “And with COVID, we learned virtual courses work. That’s one of the lessons from 2020.”
The most popular program for adults is Brews and Brushes, where participants sip on a favorite beverage while an artist guides the class to create their own version of a painting. For children 6 and older, Mini Masters classes help them create acrylic paintings of subjects kids enjoy, like animals.
“We’re always trying to find ways to create programs that are new and innovative,” Powell said.
Art Reach will launch two new programs in July:
- Club Create of Mid Michigan, a Michigan Arts Access program for adults with disabilities: Classes will be offered the second Thursday of each month beginning in July. “It is social interaction and art,” Powell said. “There is nothing like this in this part of the state. Our hope is it will still be around 40 years from now.” Sign up for Club Create on the Art Reach website. Cost is $3 per class.
- Coldwater Art Camp: A staff member came up with the idea of a summer art camp for children and parents. The camp, July 19-July 21, consists of two half-days and one full day of arts and crafts, with free time and campfires built in. For information, call 773-3689 or visit the Art Reach gallery at 111 E. Broadway.
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