On Saturday, September 28, the Imlay City DDA and Lapeer Art Association hosted the 5th annual Art in the Rough Gala.
East Third Street in Downtown Imlay City hosted 19 artists in 13 vacant and active business spaces that served as pop-up galleries.
Our VIP Event was standing-room only with guests enjoying exceptional medleys provided by the Jim Bach Quartet.
Almost every featured artist sold a work of art, with many selling several, and even a few earning commissioned projects.
For 2019, we partnered with the Imlay City High School Art Department and teacher, Greg Irwin, to promote four talented high school artists.
You could hear live music in the streets throughout the event, with locals Davis Green sharing their smooth acoustic sets, and award-winning Detroit area artist Pat Smillie who kept everyone dancing in the streets.
An event of this magnitude requires many hands to make light work.
The Imlay City DDA would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to Tony Stroh, the Lapeer Art Association, and the following, who made our night to remember possible.
Thanks to: Vintech Industries, DieTech Tool & Mfg., Inc., Palace Liquor, Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Backyard Creations & More, Eden’s Attic, Happy Little Quilt Shop, New Image Linens, Movement Realty, Meraki Styles Salon (formerly Imlay City Hair Care), Imlay City Florist, Somewhere in Time Photography, 123 Escape Room, CC’s Computer Services, Style Tech’s, Imlay City American Legion Post 135, Third Street Lofts, Gem & Diamond Specialists, Joe Candela, Doug Halabicky State Farm, Justin Shattuck, Brennan and Lorenzo from the Happy Little Quilt Shop and bartenders extraordinaire, Dave and Susan Sump from the Imlay City Fraternal Order of Eagles #4082, Jennifer Page and Mikaela Page.
Thank you to every patron of our event, for you are whom we labor for. The art was exquisite and the company exceptional. Let’s all get together again for Art in the Rough 2020.
—Lorrelei Natke,
Imlay City DDA Director
