One of the most special weeks of the year starts Sunday when the City of Marquette presents the fourth annual Art Week Sunday through June 30.

People wil have the chance to take part in seven days of events dedicated to arts and culture. There will be exhibits, artist receptions, concerts, workshops, demonstration and live performances.

In its preview news release, the Marquette Arts and Culture center said this year’s Art Week is the biggest yet — with more than two dozen unique events created in partnership with more than 100 community partners.

New to Art Week in 2018 are: Poetry on Third Sidewalk Chalk Poetry Contest, performance by the Marquette Symphony Orchestra Summer Strings, a special Art Stroll performance by the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic — sponsored by the Hiawatha Music Co-op — and an expansion of last year’s extremely successful Fresh Coast Plein Air painting competition to include a new evening competition segment.

That doesn’t mean favorites from previous years have been left out. Those items include, according to the MACC, performances by TaMaMa Dance Company, Art Stroll, DDA-sponsored Kick-Off Concert and Marquette City Band concert at the Marquette Commons, Fairy Garden Festival, and a host of workshops, surprise art installations, and live music.

We congratulate all who put time and energy into the planning of these myriad artistic endeavors as well as those who will be guiding the public as Art Week progresses.

We enthusiastically encourage people to take part in as many of these special events as possible. The Marquette area may not be the largest in size in the country, but it certainly is one of the most artistically talented places in the nation.

For a full listing of Art Week events visit https://www.marquette365.com/event/2018-city-of-marquette-art-week/.

For more information, contact the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center at 906-228-0472 or email arts-culture@marquettemi.gov.