Downtown organization teams up with I.C. Schools to fill need
IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Imlay City Schools are again partnering for the purpose of enhancing the downtown business district.
In addition to collaborating on a “March Reading Night” downtown and ‘Pop-up’ reading events at Lamb-Steele Park this summer, the DDA is currently seeking student art to adorn 33 light post banners downtown.
“The DDA feels it is very important to engage with our students,” said DDA Director Dana Walker. “We greatly appreciate the district’s teachers and administrators who value the importance of downtown and choose to promote our (DDA) events and projects.”
While acknowledging that the existing downtown banners have served the community well, Walker said it is time they be replaced.
“The DDA Board knows we are in need of new banners and wants to involve the community in designing the new banners.”
To fill the need for banners and involve the community, the DDA Board has decided to reach out to Imlay City’s artistically inclined students.
The Imlay City Downtown Development Authority hopes that student art will adorn the light post banners in the downtown district.
“It’s a natural fit to involve our students,” said Walker, “and the concept works perfectly with the DDA’s commitment to showcase public art downtown,”
The theme for the project is “Making Memories in Imlay City.”
March 19 art deadline
Moving forward, all Imlay City students are encouraged to submit either “marker” or “colored pencil” drawings to Jill Campbell at Borland Elementary by Tuesday, March 19 at 8 p.m.
Selected student artwork will be transferred to banners to hang in downtown Imlay City for the season — up to five months. Once the banners are removed at the end of the season, they may be purchased for $30 by the student, their families, or community members.
Walker said students may work independently or together with their families.
“Mrs. (Jill) Campbell came up with the idea of a theme and creating art as a family,” Walker said. “It’s another example of the commitment our local educators have to our community.”
Art sessions at school
Artists may create the work at home or participate in scheduled work sessions in the art room at Borland Elementary School.
Work sessions are scheduled for Wed., Feb. 27 from 3:30-5 p.m. and in the Borland Elementary cafeteria on upcoming Tuesdays; March 5, 12, and 19 from 7-8 p.m.
All artwork must be completed on 8 ½” x 11″ sheets of white paper (portrait layout), using colored pencils and/or markers.
Walker said the first round of student banners will go up in May.
“We would love to have 33 pieces of artwork submitted so we can hang a banner on each downtown light post,” she said. “If we receive more than that number, we will continue the (student banner art) program into the winter months.”
For more information, contact the Imlay City DDA offices at 810-724-2135.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
