SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – As we inch closer to fall, the leaves won’t be the only splash of color across Saginaw.
There’s a new Saginaw Spirit mural in the works on the parking garage, celebrating the team’s Memorial Cup victory.
It’s one of several eye-catching creations breathing new life and vibrancy into the city. The impact of street art goes far beyond what meets the eye.
Walking through Old Town Saginaw by its newest addition, the second largest mural in the nation, there was a little bit of construction going on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 12.
Organizer John Vasquez was busy getting set up for this weekend’s Street Art Showdown.
Sawing away, piece by piece, Vasquez is building props to hold works that will be created during Saturday’s event, a Street Art Showdown set on the premise of bringing community while showcasing a unique form of art.
“A good connection between the community and artists because not everybody can afford to go to like a gallery or a museum and it’s like bringing art to the public right up front,” Vasquez said.
Viewed by some as graffiti, street art has a strong presence in Saginaw, the most recent piece being the Spirit’s latest championship mural on the parking garage across from the Dow Event Center.
Vasquez said he’s been around the street art scene in Saginaw for 15 years, calling it vibrant after it was once confined to the walls under the Court Street Bridge.
He said there was a time that the work of these artists was frowned upon, but that view has evolved over the years.
“The younger generation is getting older and the appeal is there because we all kind of grew up with graffiti as like a backdrop,” he said.
Being one of the five artists to complete the silo mural in Old Town, Vasquez knows a thing or two about good backdrops. So, when the event lost its original location on Niagara Street, he knew another spot where the creative energy could continue for the event’s fourth year, bringing artists of all experience levels from as far away as Peru together for a gathering like no other.
“We’ve got good weather, we’ve got 10 artist showing up. About 35 vendors, a couple food trucks. We’re going to have a DJ setup,” he said. “It’s a good way to inspire people.”
The event is free to the public and will be going on from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Click here for more information.
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