COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WANTED - KID’S COVE PLAYGROUND DRAGONFLY PUBLIC ART PROJECT

The Marquette Public Art Commission (MPAC) will commission a piece of public art inspired by a dragonfly to be placed at the entrance of the new all-inclusive Kids Cove Playground in Mattson Lower Harbor Park. The goal of the sculpture is to engage the City and its visitors, creating a sense of wonder and joy to reinforce the positivity of play while honoring Joani Reynolds Miller, a retired preschool teacher who had a vision of making life for children with disabilities more inclusive in our community. The community is invited to submit feedback on the proposed designs for the Kid’s Cove Dragonfly artwork that will welcome people to the playground for years to come.

MPAC members narrowed down three finalists from a national call for artist qualifications. The three finalists were given creative freedom to respond to the unique facets of our community, spirit of inclusivity, and add their distinct voice to a place that will celebrate public art and foster a love of outdoor play for all. 

To view designs and submit your feedback; follow the link: https://forms.office.com/r/DPmHiwefyn or find the link to the form via www.mqtcompass.com

This form will close on Friday February 9, 2024.  The public is also invited to offer public comment during the MPAC monthly meeting to be held at 6:30pm Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in the City Arts & Culture Center (217 N Front Street), when the final design is to be selected.

Information about the Kids Cove Playground: https://www.kidscovemqt.com/

Information about the City’s Public Art Program and the Marquette Public Art Commission: https://www.mqtcompass.com/publicart/

The City of Marquette Office of Arts & Culture announces opportunities for artists to get involved in the upcoming City of Marquette Art Week 2024, to be held June 24 to June 29. This annual week-long celebration invites local artists, organizations, and businesses to collaborate on diverse arts and cultural events, fostering community vibrancy. This year’s Art Week is centered on the theme Grow: planting seeds of creativity, inspired by the relocation of the City’s Office of Arts & Culture to the future cultural trailhead and center.

ART WEEK PROJECT PROPOSALS:

Submit proposals for concerts, workshops, exhibits, and more. Funding of up to $500 is available for selected projects. Deadline: March 1, 2024. Full call for projects can be found on the Art Week homepage: https://www.mqtcompass.com/artweek/

ART WEEK COVER ART CONTEST:

Enter the cover art contest with your original art inspired by the theme of Grow for a chance to win $100.00 and artist credit in the Art Week magazine. All artists and ages accepted. Submission deadline: March 1, 2024. Guidelines found on the Art Week website: https://www.mqtcompass.com/artweek/

MORE LOCAL CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES:

Visit MQT Compass Creative Classifieds for local opportunities for artists. Free to post to and peruse, the City of Marquette is proud to offer the MQTcompass.com website as a platform for connection. https://www.mqtcompass.com/opportunities/

Art Week 2024 is supported by a grant from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.

For details, contact the City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture at 906-225-0472 or arts-culture@marquettemi.gov. Media inquiries may be directed to apruiett@marquettemi.gov

The City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture and the Peter White Public Library announce the call for exhibit proposals for the Public Gallery Program 2025 exhibit season. The Public Gallery Program is a partnership that provides inclusive and accessible exhibit space for artists and audiences. Two gallery spaces, the Deo Gallery and the Huron Mountain Club Gallery, will host bimonthly rotating exhibits featuring professional and community art of all mediums. Artists and Curators of all ages, mediums, and backgrounds are encouraged to propose exhibits. The call for exhibit proposals occurs annually with no application fee. Gallery spaces are free to visit during Library hours; Mon-Thurs 9:30am-8:30pm, Fri 9:30am-5:30pm, and Sat 9:30am-4:30pm

Applications will be accepted through Sunday, March 31, 2024. The full call for exhibits and more information about the Public Gallery Program can be found on https://www.mqtcompass.com/public-gallery-program/ or paper copies are available at the City Arts & Culture Center (217 N Front St, Lower Level of PWPL)

For additional questions and information call the City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture at 906-228-0472 or email apruiett@marquettemi.gov

The Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee (PIPAC) meeting scheduled for January 10, 2024 has been canceled due to lack of business.  The next regularly scheduled meeting will be February 14, 2024.

The Harbor Advisory Committee (HAC) meeting scheduled for January 9, 2023 has been canceled due to lack of agenda.  The next regularly scheduled meeting will be February 13, 2024.   

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting scheduled for January 8, 2024 has been canceled.  The next scheduled meeting is February 12, 2024. 

Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on Wednesday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Shiras Room, on the top level of Peter White Public Library (Front Street side).  The meeting is intended to provide an informal opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

City of Marquette voters who have previously placed their name on the city’s permanent absentee ballot list can expect to automatically receive an absentee ballot in the mail prior to each upcoming election and will no longer need to apply prior to each election. 

However, before receiving a ballot for the upcoming Feb. 27 Presidential Primary Election, these voters must first complete a ballot selection form that is being mailed out this week. Per state law, Michigan’s Presidential Primary ballots are party-specific, and voters may only vote in one party; therefore, absentee voters must make their party selection in advance to allow for the delivery of the correct ballot. 

Voters who would like an absentee ballot for the Feb. 27 Presidential Primary but have not yet requested one can submit an application online at www.mi.gov/vote, or they can begin the process by contacting the City Clerk’s office at clerk@marquettemi.gov. 

The Board of Zoning Appeals regular meeting on January 4, 2024, has been canceled.   The next scheduled meeting will be held on February 1, 2024.

Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed to through traffic for storm drain maintenance work between Pine Street and Fair Street on Friday, December 22. This project will begin at 7 a.m. and is expected to be completed by the end of the day. A detour will be provided.