Public Arts Midland

09/02/2026

You’re invited to our Neighboring Week Art Drop!

🗓️September 27 – October 3, 2025
📍All around Midland County, MI

We had so much fun with our Neighboring Week Art Drop last year, and again in February of this year, that we had to bring it back!

From September 27 through October 3, artists, makers, and neighbors across Midland will hide small pieces of art for others to find. All are encouraged to join, from seasoned creators and crafters, to people who just want to try something new, this is a joyful way to connect with our community through small acts of beauty and generosity.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
1. Create: Any kind of art works — drawings, poems, jewelry, stickers, mini paintings, etc.
2. Drop: Hide your artwork in a public space in Midland between Sept 27–Oct 3. Mark it with (PS - We have special stickers for Art Drop, available for pick up at Creative 360!!)
3. Post: Leave a clue photo in the comments of our pinned post (goes live Sept 28).
4. Hunt: Check the comments, explore town, and see what you can find.
5. Share: Found art? Post a photo in the same pinned post comments to let the artist know it’s been discovered!

Art is scientifically proven to reduce cortisol levels, which lowers physical and emotional stress. For the love of art and creating join us in connecting with the community this Neighboring Week!

// art heals

09/01/2026

❤️Public Art Feature❤️

This utility box was painted by local artist Annie Stout, owner of Paper Heart Design Co.! Inspired by the retro styling of the Walkman, you can enjoy this mini mural at the corner of Waldo Road and Patrick Road.

This was created as part of our Outside the Box Project in 2022.

08/31/2026

About Saturday… We are always in awe of how live theatre comes together! If you were able to join us we hope you enjoyed Performance in the Park much as we did. ❤️🎭

We have to give a huge thank you to our friends at Creative 360 for making this such a wonderful production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest.’ We literally couldn’t do this without you!

Thank you and congratulations to the whole team:
- Director, Laura Brigham
- Assistant Director, Ella McKane-Wright
- Stage Manager, Mac Hamstra
- Costume Designer, Carol Rumba
- Set Design/Scenic Painter, Jazz Benitez
- Props Master, Maranda Ginop
- Sound Effects, Laura Brigham & Natalie Schweikert
- Sound Company, Central A/V Design
- Makeup Designers, Carmen Mata & Ella McKane-Wright
- Deck Chief, Gi Padavana
- Nymph Choreography, Natalie Schweikart
- Instrumental Sound Effects, Ever Gilmore, Percy Ziolkowski, & Jeremy Hassen

And to the Cast:
- Prospero, April Millward
- Ariel, Sarah Wandor
- Miranda, Rebecca Smith,
- Ferdinand, George Hageage IV
- Caliban, Terri Weitze
- Alonzo, Taylor Winslow
- Sebastian, Brandon McMullen
- Antonia, Sara Gochenour
- Gonzalo, Jeremy Hassen
- Trinculo, Ever Gilmore
- Stephano, Sam Nowak
- Adrian/Mariner, Heather Kline
- Francisco/Shipmaster, Percy Ziolkowski
- Boatswain/Shape, Lux Izquierdo
- Juno/Shape, Mackenzie Hopkins
- Iris/Mariner/Shape, Aja Jade Philpot
- Ceres/Mariner/Shape, Stephanie Ashcroft
- Nymphs, Elite Arts Company Dancers, Caitlyn Cronin, Sarah English, Kenzi Urbaniak, Julia McGregor, Hadley Laurin, & Layla Pashak

And to our special guests:
- Brightyn Henika (Wandering Troubadour)
- Jewls the Clown
- Sangeeta's Dance & Music of India
- Creative Theatre Company
- Tessa Elaina (Singer/Songwriter)
- The Friction Theatre (Sword Fighting Demo)

A special thank you to:
- Jr Bornemann
- Central Auditorium
- Bay City Players
- Darby Gwisdala
- Madeline Morgan
- City of Midland
- Midland Area Community Foundation

We hope to see you for another Performance in the Park in 2028!

// art heals

08/29/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!!

Public Arts Midland and Creative 360 bring Performing Arts to Grove Park, on Saturday, August 29th! This event is FREE + family friendly! Bring a chair or blanket for the lawn.

🎭12:00PM - Opening Shakespeare in the Park Performance of: ‘The Tempest’
🎭5:00 - Closing Shakespeare in the Park Performance of: ‘The Tempest’

Between the two plays guests can enjoy short performances from:
- Wandering troubadour: Brightyn Henika
- Jewls the Clown
- A modern language Shakespeare vignette from the Creative Theatre Company
- Sangeeta’s Dance & Music of India
- Singer/Songwriter Tessa Elaina
- Sword Fighting Demonstration by The Friction Theatre

08/28/2026

It’s been so exiting to see art submissions starting to come in! ❤️

Public Arts Midland + the Cultural Awareness Coalition are inviting artists of all ages and experience levels from across the Great Lakes Bay Region to submit work for the 2026 Creativity Contest!

This year’s theme, “Humanity Unites Us All”, explores the idea that while our stories, identities, and experiences may differ, we are all connected by our shared humanity. At our core, we all seek belonging, care, and understanding—and through art, we can bring those connections to life.
We encourage you to think broadly about diversity and human experience—culture, identity, ability, age, background, and more. Show us what unity, empathy, and connection mean to you.

🖼️ All art forms welcome:
2D • 3D • Multimedia • Written work
📅 Important Dates:
Submissions open: August 5
Deadline: September 23 at 11:59 PM
Opening Reception: October 7 (5:30–7 PM at Creative 360)
🏆 Selected artists will be featured in a gallery-style exhibition, with prizes awarded!

📩 How to submit:
Physical: Drop off at Creative 360
Digital: Email [email protected]
Submission form required

This is your chance to celebrate both what makes us unique and what brings us together.

🔗 Full details + submission form:
midlandfoundation.org/creativity-contest/

08/27/2026

Grab your friends and a blanket or a chair and join us alongside Creative 360 this Saturday at Grove Park for our Performance in the Park event!

This event is FREE + family friendly!
🎭12:00PM - Opening Shakespeare in the Park Performance of: ‘The Tempest’
🎭5:00 - Closing Shakespeare in the Park Performance of: ‘The Tempest’

Between the two plays guests can enjoy short performances from:
- Wandering troubadour: Brightyn Henika
- Jewls the Clown
- A modern language Shakespeare vignette from the Creative Theatre Company
- Sangeeta’s Dance & Music of India
- Singer/Songwriter Tessa Elaina
- Sword Fighting Demonstration by The Friction Theatre

Hope to see you there!

Photos from the preview performed at Midland Area River Days Festival. ❤️

08/27/2026

Thank you to the Midland Daily News for sharing about the Creativity Contest! We are excited to partner with Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition again to bring you this contest where we can celebrate diversity and humanity through art.

https://www.ourmidland.com/community/article/2026-creativity-contest-art-submission-22382453.php

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/2055619075344738

Submissions for the 2026 Creativity Contest are now open through Sept. 23. Held in partnership between the Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition and Public Arts Midland.

08/25/2026

Thank you to ABC12 News for shining a spotlight on this Saturday's Performance in the Park event.

Bring a blanket or chair and join us alongside Creative 360 at Grove Park starting at noon for two performances of Shakespeare's The Tempest, and MUCH more!!

Learn more: www.midlandfoundation.org

08/24/2026

Our cast and crew have been hard at work putting together an incredible performance of The Tempest for you. Special shout out to our costume designer, Carol Rumba. Everyone looks amazing!

Join us and Creative 360 on Saturday, August 29th at Grove Park for this free and family Shakespeare event!

Catch The Tempest at either noon or 5 PM and enjoy a whole host of performing arts entertainment in between! 🎭❤️