The Bridgman Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) is excited to announce it’s a semi-finalist for the Bridge Builders Main Street Microgrant program. If selected, the CIA would receive $5,000 from the Michigan Municipal League Foundation to help fulfill its “Magic Carpet and Music” project in conjunction with the Bridgman High School Art Club. The CIA is asking everyone to please vote for this project to help them get to the third and final round of judging.
The project will transform a former parking lot into a vibrant outdoor seating area, perfect for community gathering. The grant would fund a 10’ x 40’ “magic carpet” rug mural designed in collaboration with Bridgman high school art students. The grant will also fund the continuation of free acoustic concerts in the downtown courtyard next summer.
“The Corridor Improvement Authority identified public art as a top-most desire of residents in a recent survey,” said Hannah Anderson, CIA chair. “We are pleased to announce this initial project to beautify the downtown courtyard and make it a more enjoyable space for residents and visitors alike.”
Bridgman High School art students will be commissioned to design and then paint the Magic Carpet rug mural on the ground in the courtyard.
“We are very excited to get started on this public arts initiative,” said Jacob Zapor, art teacher at Bridgman High School and creative director for the project. “This is an amazing opportunity for our youth to become more connected with their community while showcasing their creative talents. By creating a piece of lasting public art in the community, our students will have a sense of pride in being part of something bigger.”
In addition to collaborating with the school district, the city is also including local businesses in the project. Catherine Worcester, owner of Accents at Himalaya Textiles, will teach the art students about Tibetan carpet weaving, which she did in Nepal for 45 years. Rick Fuller and Suzy Barnes, owners of Hoof to Hanger Fiber Mill, will demonstrate how they process animal fleece from alpaca, sheep, llama, and more into finished roving, batts and yarn. And Mike Carlson, owner of Lake Street Eats, will donate food and drinks to the students while they are working on the rug mural.
“This has been an incredible experience to engage with each of these groups and bring our vision to life,” said Julie Strating, CIA member, grant writer and project manager for the “Magic Carpet and Music” project. “Every community is deserving of the transformative power of art and this project is just the beginning. I’m committed to finding ways to spearhead the joy that arts and culture can cultivate for Bridgman.”
Online voting starts Monday, August 22 and ends Sunday, September 4. The public is encouraged to vote daily, which will be taken into consideration by a statewide jury in the third and final judging round. Learn more about Bridgman’s “Magic Carpet and Music” submission and vote today at mmlfoundation.org/bb-mainstreet-voting/?entry=14114.
About the Bridgman Corridor Improvement Authority
The Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Bridgman (more commonly known as the CIA) was established in 2007. The CIA focuses on the growth, development and physical improvement of the City’s main commercial roads – Red Arrow Highway and Lake Street. Learn more about the CIA at bridgman.org/156/Corridor-Improvement-Authority.
