By Carmen Voss, Senior Arts Correspondent
MIDLAND, MI — May 20, 2025 — Midland is gearing up for a vibrant weekend of culture and creativity with the return of two beloved community events: the 58th annual Summer Art Fair and the Art Seen Festival. Scheduled for May 31 to June 1, these festivities promise to bring together artists, musicians, families, and local food vendors in a celebration of the arts and community spirit.
The Summer Art Fair, a long-standing tradition in Midland, will unfold downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It will feature over 100 artists selected from a record number of applicants, showcasing handmade goods across a wide spectrum of media including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glasswork, textiles, photography, and jewelry. This free event, held rain or shine, aims to highlight both seasoned professionals and emerging talent.
A special feature of the fair is the Linda Basque Emerging Artists Scholarship, which supports new and aspiring artists by offering them a platform to present their work to the public. Many of these scholarship recipients go on to build thriving careers, and this initiative has become a cornerstone of the fair’s commitment to nurturing artistic growth.
Alongside the Summer Art Fair, the Art Seen Festival will take place at the nearby Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. The highlight of this year’s festival is the unveiling of “Color Your World,” a 960-square-foot community mural — the largest in Midland’s history. Created by a team of five regional artists and guided by a local design studio, the mural has been designed not just as a static piece of art but as a dynamic, participatory project.
Festival-goers will have the opportunity to paint sections of the mural themselves, transforming it into a vibrant, collective masterpiece. This effort underscores the festival’s emphasis on community engagement and celebrates the idea that everyone can contribute to public art. To further reinforce this inclusive spirit, a fundraising campaign is allowing individuals to have their names embedded into the mural’s final design, providing a unique and personal connection to the project.
Live music performances throughout the weekend will be curated by a local recording studio, adding a festive soundtrack to the visual experience. Food trucks and local vendors will line the streets, offering a variety of options from artisan snacks to gourmet fare.
In addition to these art-centric activities, the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library will host its Summer Reading Kickoff event in coordination with the Art Seen Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this outdoor celebration will feature crafts, games, music, and special programming for all age groups. The library itself will remain open for regular services, including library card signups and participation in the Summer Reading Program.
The reading initiative, which runs through the summer months, encourages participants of all ages to log their reading hours in exchange for monthly prizes. The kickoff event is expected to draw hundreds of families, educators, and community members excited to launch into summer with a literary and artistic bang.
Volunteers are being sought to assist with various aspects of both the Art Seen Festival and the Summer Art Fair. Community members interested in lending a hand can register online. Event organizers also advise attendees to consider carpooling, as construction projects at Dow Gardens and the Midland Center for the Arts may limit parking availability.
These dual events not only support local artists and small businesses but also foster a deeper sense of community pride and involvement. As Midland continues to invest in creative initiatives, the return of the Summer Art Fair and the Art Seen Festival marks a highlight in the city’s cultural calendar and a testament to the enduring power of public art and shared celebration.
