Artists in Excellence (AIE) is a cross-district, arts-based extracurricular program for students from Marquette, Negaunee, and Ishpeming High Schools administered by the City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture in partnership with local art teachers. Students developed and lead the inaugural community art project as part of the program; a mural at Birchview elementary.

Under the guidance of local muralist Hannah Milkie, whose work can be found on the walls of Trenary Toast Cafe and Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette, students from local high schools united to design and implement a project they felt would make a difference in empowering the youth of their community and visualize the power of creative collaboration. The “Power Mural” will be unveiled in coordination with a student power assembly on Friday at 3:00pm at Birchview Elementary School (663 Poplar St, Ishpeming MI).

AIE was created to satisfy multiple City Arts & Culture masterplan objectives, including “Support Active and Engaged Community of Healthy, lifelong learners” and “talent development attraction and retention”. The program gives students direct experience with the local creative economy and builds a sense of place in their community beyond the walls of their high school and home. Future student-led community art projects will take place throughout the greater Marquette area, connecting students across municipal boundaries.

AIE is generously funded by the Upper Peninsula Health Plan and matching funds from the Community Foundation of Marquette County's Youth Fund. For more information about the AIE program visit the MQTcompass.com or contact the City Office of Arts & Culture 906-228-0472.

Note to Press: Permission from Birchview Elementary Principal, Mr. Matthew Byce, is required to attend the unveiling of the "Power Mural." Please contact 906-485-6341 to obtain permission and coordinate coverage.

On Wednesday April 26, Oberstar Inc. will begin work on Baraga Avenue east of Lakeshore Boulevard.  The work includes paving, curbing, storm sewer, and restoration. Resident and business access will be maintained throughout the project. There will be intermittent closures of the multiuse path immediately adjacent to the south piers. The work is anticipated to be completed in June of this year.

The public is advised to take caution when traveling through this area and to be alert for construction and advisory signing.

Curbside brush collection will be conducted April 24 – 28. The brush volume from each property is limited to one pickup load, a pile approx. 12’L x 6’W x 5’H.

Crews will collect loose or brown bagged leaves May 1 - 12. Street sweeping and sand pickup will be conducted during leaf collection dates for all residential routes. The City will not collect material after the last date listed for each route.

The composting drop-off site located at 1415 Pioneer Rd. is opening April 22 for the season. It is open Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.. Any yard waste will be accepted but brush will be limited to one pickup load per day.  “Solid Waste” fee payment on a City water bill and ID is required for admittance.

The Household Rubbish site will open April 24. It is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Extra days have been added to the first two weeks to assist with spring cleaning. Thursday, April 27, Saturday, April 29, and Thursday, May 4.

Dates and the map of the City of Marquette’s curbside brush and leaf collection and compost and rubbish site opening can be found on the city website.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023, work will begin on a city-wide sidewalk repair and extension project.

This project will include replacement of various sidewalk squares throughout the city. The motoring public should experience minimal disruptions. Sidewalk removal areas will be clearly marked with construction cones to warn pedestrians.

Construction plans can be accessed at the City of Marquette Engineering Division web site: https://www.marquettemi.gov/departments/community-development/engineering/

Premeau Construction is the general contractor for this project.

Please take caution when traveling through construction areas and to be alert for advisory signage.

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAB) meeting scheduled for April 17, 2023 has been canceled due to lack of agenda. 

Oberstar Inc. will be completing demolition work at 214 South Front Street requiring sidewalk and street closures. The sidewalk in front of 214 South Front Street will be closed Friday April 14, reopened at the end of the day, then closed again Monday April 17 through the end of the week. The southbound lane of Front Street between Main Street and Spring Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the day April 17, 18 and 19. Southbound traffic will be detoured around the closure via Main Street, Third Street, and Baraga Avenue. Northbound traffic on Front Street will remain unaffected.

The public is advised to take caution when traveling through this area and to be alert for construction and advisory signing.

The Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Advisory Board (MAWTAB) scheduled meeting, April 20, 2023 at 10 a.m., will be conducted at the Chocolay Township Fire Hall.

Deo Gallery’s April Exhibit showcases a body of work from student graphic designers in The School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University.

The Deo Gallery is operated by the City of Marquette and is located in the basement of the Peter White Public Library in the City’s Arts & Culture Center; it is sponsored by the Lake Superior Art Association. The Deo Gallery’s exhibit The Graphic Design Show will be up April 10 through April 28. On Thursday, April 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture will be hosting the opening reception. Receptions are free and open to the public.

The Office of Arts and Culture can be contacted at 906-228-0472 or arts-culture@marquettemi.gov with questions about this exhibit and the gallery space.

Beginning at 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 14 and continuing through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, Spring Street will be closed to motor vehicles between Front Street and Third Street for the Festival of the Angry Bear sponsored by the Ore Dock Brewing Company.

Egress from the MarqTran drive through and the Marquette History Museum will be available at the west end of Spring Street.