Emme Holweger, 3, who is visiting the from Minnesota, takes part in a children’s plein air activity on Monday at the Marquette Maritime Museum. The event was part of the city of Marquette’s Art Week, which runs through Saturday. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

By CHRISTIE

MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Art Week 2023 is underway in the city of Marquette.

The theme this year is “Home,” which draws inspiration from the ongoing Community Master Plan update for the city that outlines the city’s priorities for the next 20 years and aims to tackle important issues such as climate change, population shifts and technological advances.

Art Week 2023, hosted by the city’s Office of Arts and Culture, will run through Saturday, featuring a range of exhibitions and events throughout Marquette that showcase local artists, encourage community participation in the arts and stimulate conversations around the theme.

Tiina Morin, city arts and culture manager, said in a news release, “We’re using art week as a tool to connect with the community.”

To accomplish this goal, there will be a “Cultural Conversation” daily where city officials can talk to residents about issues important to them.

Of course, there will be a variety of arts-related events.

For example, the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum will host “Paint the Town with Love,” a family-friendly chalk art event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Commons, 112 S. Third St. Supplies will be provided, although registration is encouraged at www.mqtcompass.com/paint-the-town.

Other events include Art Stroll from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the downtown area, sponsored by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority; a variety of concerts; the Lake Superior Art Association’s Fresh Coast Plein Air Festival, set for 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Provisions MQT, 401 S. Lakeshore Boulevard; and the Presque Isle Art Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Presque Isle Station lawn.

On Monday at the Marquette Maritime Museum, the Liberty Children’s Art Project and the museum hosted a children’s plein air painting session, with plein air being the art of painting outside.

Hilary Billman, museum director, helped with the activity.

“We start them off with just a quick little lesson on painting landscapes, and then we let them go,” Billman said during the session. “We give them paintbrushes, water, a piece of paper to paint on and some colors. It’s amazing some of the paintings they come up with.”

She then pointed to an expressive piece created by a 2-year-old.

Of course, the young participants had Lake Superior, the rocky shoreline and the Marquette Lighthouse as views.

“They up with the best stuff,” Billman said.

For more information about the full Art Week schedule, visit www.mqtcompass.com or the Arts and Culture Center Facebook page.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.