2021 Golden Paintbrush Recognitions

Murals and Artbox - Ann Arbor Art Center

Murals

A fresh initiative designed to infuse art into our community.

A2AC Murals is the culmination of pairing downtown building and business owners with local, regional, and national artists who transformed the building walls into spectacular expressions of their skill—providing the community and visitors the opportunity to experience and enjoy these large, vibrant works of public art.

To make this dream a reality, we crowdfunded in July of 2020 and 2021 to raise $50,000 each year through Patronicity. These funds paid the artists a living wage and covered other mural expenses like equipment rentals, paint, permits, etc. Once this goal was met, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) matched our $50,000—doubling the impact of all donations leading up to the goal through their Public Spaces Community Places program.

A2AC Murals is made possible by the Lucie & Larry Nisson Art in Public Program.

A2AC Artbox

Launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtBox: Outreach is a pivotal component of the A2AC’s educational outreach; the program provides our most vulnerable populations, including underserved and at-risk youth, adults, and families throughout Southeast Michigan, with basic art supplies and project ideas. Each box includes a packet filled with project ideas and the supplies needed to quickly begin creating.

While supplies may vary slightly (especially from season to season) each box contains:

Paper (construction, drawing, and multimedia)
Watercolor paint, oil pastels, and Model Magic clay
Markers, colored pencils, and two boxes of crayons (regular and Crayola’s Multicultural set)
Scissors, glue sticks, and a pencil sharpener
Printed instruction booklet full of project ideas and art games

ArtBox: Outreach is made possible by the many individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations that believe everyone should have access to art supplies.

Youth Art Month - Main Street Area Association

A celebration of the visual arts!

March in Downtown Ann Arbor is Youth Art Month is an annual observance, in March, designed to emphasize the value of art education for all youth. It is an opportunity to connect our community with our youth's creativity to illustrate the importance of fostering artistry and innovation.

Laughing at Clouds

Artist David Zinn created “Laughing at Clouds” a mural of the iconic scene in which Gene Kelly sings, dances, and swings from a lamppost in the rain. He created a fun illusion incorporating a real lamppost on the sidewalk. Gene Kelly's daughter, Kerry Kelly Noviak, is a longtime residence of Ann Arbor.

Artist David Zinn works on a mural of Gene Kelly on the entrance to the underground parking structure on S. 5th Avenue in Ann Arbor on Monday, September 8, 2014. The piece meant to be interactive for those who pass by. Tyler Stabile | The Ann Arbor News

City of Ann Arbor “I Voted Sticker” Campaign

The City Clerk's Office, with support from the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, sought out local artists, including students, to design the City's 2020 "I Voted" stickers and a team of judges narrowed the choices down to a group of exceptional finalists. Public voting is now complete and winners were announced at the June 15, 2019 City Council meeting!

Winning Designs