Photo courtesy Jeff Silvernail / Art Reach of Mid Michigan

Art and outdoors unite at Deerfield Park

Owen Howard | Thursday, September 19, 2024

Courtesy Isabella County Parks & Recreation

What’s Happening: The 17^th annual Art From Our Park event will take place from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event will once again be held at Deerfield Nature Park around the Fussman Pavilion. Co-hosted by Isabella County Parks and Recreation and Art Reach of Mid-Michigan, Art From Our Park will offer a wide variety of nature and art-oriented activities and performances for the community to partake in and enjoy.

What They’re Saying: The Art From Our Park event is highly collaborative, with multiple organizations and artists working together to bring the event to life. Amy Powell, executive director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, reflects on this, saying, “I love the collaboration between Art Reach, the Isabella County Parks and all of the artists involved. Art From Our Park is an awesome opportunity, that is free, for everyone to enjoy art and unplug in nature!"

The event has something for everyone which is emphasized by Alexis Hansen, Isabella County Parks and Recreation director. “This event has a little bit of all the good stuff: nature, culture, and community,” says Hansen. “It’s a local celebration of art and the great outdoors! Typically there is a food truck and crafts to take home with you, plus park entrance is free for the event.”

What to Expect: Several different events, stations, and performances create a lively atmosphere at the park. There will be several different activities to participate in throughout the four hour event, including hikes in the park, make-and-take crafts, and nature bingo with the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. There will also be caricatures by Corby Blem, as well as performances by Caramelized Grooves, Native Fireball, and Triskelion Belly Dancing Troupe.

How the Free Event is Funded: The event is made possible by funds provided in part by the Kay Smith Family Fund, the William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund, the Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund, and the Schafer Community Impact Fund of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

How to Participate: Art From Our Park is a free event open to all community members at Deerfield Nature Park (located at 2425 W. Remus Rd., in Mt. Pleasant). Pre-registration is not necessary, and entry to Deerfield Nature Park will be free for those looking to attend. A map of the park can be found here, with the event taking place at the Fussman Pavilion.

Read more articles by Owen Howard.

Owen Howard is an Isabella County native with a deep appreciation for all it has to offer, in both people and places. He currently works as a biologist in the environmental department of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. He is an alumni of Central Michigan University, having received both a bachelor's and a master's degree. In his free time, Owen could be described as 'chronically outdoors.' Owen has a passion for telling stories and for listening to other people tell theirs. He loves getting the chance to allow people to share their passions and stories with a larger audience.