Downtown Mt. Pleasant, MI

"A Toast to Art Reach"

2009-02-19T14:50:00.006-05:00

Art Reach of Mid Michigan is pleased to present, “A Toast to Art Reach” - An Evening of Wine Tasting, and Beer Sampling. The event is a fund raiser for Art Reach and will be held at Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway Street, Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, March 24th from 7-9pm.

"A Toast to Art Reach" will feature 30 unique wines, beer samplings and hors d'oeuvres. Guests may sample wine and beer, take a tour of the Mountain Town brewery and enjoy live entertainment. Wines will be available to order at discounted prices the night of the event only. In addition, all guests can enter a raffle to win one of four gift certificates to Art Reach on Broadway.

Ticket price is $40.00 per person. Proceeds from this event will benefit Art Reach programs such as the Art Reach Picture Program, Winter Concerts, Art Walk, Let's Do Lunch, Children's Symphony Concert and Art Reach Scholarships.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Art Reach Center, 319 S. University Street and Art Reach on Broadway Gift Shop and Gallery, 111 E. Broadway. Tickets will also be sold the evening of the event. You must be 21 to attend this event.

For more information, call Art Reach at (989) 773-3689.

Announcing the "Festival of Banners"

2009-02-19T14:34:00.012-05:00

The City of Mt. Pleasant, Vision 20/20 and Art Reach are partnering to present a "Festival of Banners" that will feature over one hundred painted vinyl banners displayed on downtown Mt. Pleasant street poles from May through September 2009. Children, artists and community members will be invited to paint the banners. These painted banners will be a colorful, vibrant public art exhibit created by our neighbors.

The Festival of Banners is an exciting new event and a celebration of art and community spirit and was developed to provide a signature event that brings attention to the Mt. Pleasant area and thus inform and encourage visitors to participate in summer activities in our community. The theme for 2009 is "Paint the Town!"

The Festival of Banners is unique in that it involves the whole community. Although professional artist may submit a design, any individual has the same chance of being selected: adults, students, seniors, children and families are being asked to create a unique and vibrant gallery in the streets. These "one of a kind" works of art will decorate the street poles of Mt. Pleasant's beautiful downtown.

For information about how to enter the Festival of Banners, visit www.artreachcenter.org or phone Art Reach at (989) 773-3689.

Focus On: Art Reach of Mid Michigan

2009-02-19T14:27:00.004-05:00

FOCUS ON: Art Reach of Mid Michigan

Art Reach of Mid Michigan’s mission is to promote and foster all forms of art and provide a better understanding and enjoyment of them to all people in the mid-Michigan community. They do this by supporting, coordinating and presenting cultural activities throughout the community and mid-Michigan region.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan is a non-profit community based arts organization established in 1981 when several small arts groups merged. With the support of individuals and businesses, an historic 100-year-old church was purchased and converted into a functional arts center. The Art Reach Center is located in downtown Mt. Pleasant (Isabella County) and the majority of its programs are presented there.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan functions as a unifying influence in the mid-Michigan community, bringing together artists and audiences, the city and the university, businesses, organizations and individuals all for the common purpose of promoting the arts.

For more information on Art Reach visit www.artreachcenter.org

Facebook and downtown Mt. Pleasant

2009-02-08T12:36:00.015-05:00

Downtown Mt. Pleasant’s exposure on Facebook is growing! As of today, thirteen businesses from downtown Mt. Pleasant have their own fan or group page. Join one today!

Broadway Theatre

Chippewa River District Library (CRDL)

Emma’s Basement Boutique

Le Tour de Mont Pleasant

Max & Emily’s

Mountain Town Station

Mt. Pleasant Monthly Magazine

Pisanello’s Pizza

Shaboom Pub Club

Welcome to our first blog!

2009-02-01T13:22:00.004-05:00

My name is Michelle Sponseller and I am the Downtown Development Director for the City of Mt. pleasant and I am an optimist. There I've said it.

My glass is half-full. Clouds have silver linings. Tomorrow is a new day. Recessions lead to recoveries. Even bad fashion choices are quickly forgotten.

That's my outlook on life.

This year my New Year's resolution was to start a blog about the positive things happening in downtown mt. Pleasant to combat the negative economic news and help others rediscover the great things about our downtown.

At times this blog will point you to new merchandise in stores, great meals and drinks, or a note on one of the many activities we have throughout the year. You'll read notes from our business owners, staff, and customers. We'll have fun and be cheeky along the way.

Over the past year, my "go team!" attitude about downtown revitalization hasn't always been readily embraced. For every optimist out there who makes a positive statement there is a pessimist who makes a negative comment about it. Anonymously, of course.

I see this as a positive thing. . .as it's when people stop talking you better start worrying.

So, if my optimism has people talking about downtown, I'm doing my job.

But, here's the other thing about me.

I am also a realist.

Thinking happy thoughts about downtown revitalization is not enough. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of money. And it takes a lot of time and patience.

In 2009, I challenge you to see downtown Mt. Pleasant as a glass that is half-full. Whether it's half-full of Mountain Town Ultra Light or Chip River Weizen, Fifi's Chi Tea (iced or hot) or Max & Emily's Mocha coffee doesn't matter.

The point is there is a lot to appreciate about downtown Mt. Pleasant. Does our cup runneth over? Not yet, but with your help, it will.

I invite you to rediscover downtown Mt. Pleasant this year.

Try something new. It can be something new to downtown, or just new to you. It can be as adventurous as trying a new restaurant or salon, or as practical as trying a new bank or insurance company.

Go to www.downtownmp.com to discover all that downtown Mt. Pleasant has to offer. And keep in mind that the best is yet to come.

Have an idea for a blog topic? Drop us a line at downtown@mt-pleasant.org