Public Artwork Now
Murals are a big part of what makes Ann Arbor, Mi. There are even tours you can take around town to take pictures in front of the most famous murals. Public art is an important part of this city and its roots run deep here. The city has a program as part of the Economic Development Department dedicated to public art called the “Art in Public Places” program. But what are the benefits of public art such as murals?
You can count the ways:
City Beautification: The simplest answer as to how murals benefit a city is that they are a beautiful new aspect to an otherwise uninteresting wall. What was once mundane and ordinary is now an attraction for tourists. It can draw people in which also draws in business.
Support Artists: All over, Ann Arbor, artists are hired to create murals on outside and inside walls of businesses. This system keeps artists working.
Build Community: For tight knit communities, murals are more than just paintings. They are a symbol of the community and representative of the community themselves.
City Pride: Murals are also a way to show your pride in your city.
About the artists:
“Destination Ann Arbor and Wickfield Properties recently teamed up with renowned local artists Mary Thiefels and Danijel Matanic to create a mural that celebrates human creativity, ingenuity and curiosity in a playful and illustrative way. The “Challenge Everything. Create Anything.” mural, which reflects Ann Arbor’s vibrant energy and strong community feel, was completed in the summer of 2019 on the 10-story tall wall of Courthouse Square at 100 South 4th Avenue and has been widely praised by the community.
Together, they have painted murals for the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, Corner Health Clinic in Ypsilanti, and other organizations in the Ann Arbor area and beyond. “Being able to creatively contribute to the fabric of my hometown with Daniel and help continue to grow Ann Arbor’s public art presence is a dream come true,” said Thiefels.”
Artists Mary Thiefels & Danijel Matanic
You can get involved by making a donation, organizing a neighborhood public art project, volunteer to serve on an AAPAC sub-committee or offer suggestions for public art themes and locations. If you'd like to suggest location, or concept, ideas for public art that the city could commission, please send an email to vharrison@a2gov.org