Mural festival closes with new artwork around every corner

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

The number of new murals in Rogers City more than doubled from last year during the second-ever Murals on Main (MOM) Festival that is being deemed another huge success by committee chairman Tim Pritchard. 

“We are so excited about all of the murals in our amazing town. Public art is important, it’s a big deal,” said Pritchard Tuesday.

Even as Pritchard was providing a follow-up comment about the festival, three mural artists were still working on their pieces, including Brady Myers of Rogers City, who has more flexibility in completing his first-ever mural.

Myers was more than pleased to provide details about his artwork on the Huron State Bank annex garage.

“There is the two females who represent the lake and the woods, so I named it The Guardians, because every animal on there is an endangered species and that is something I wanted to highlight,” said Myers. 

It should take another week or more to complete. The 20-year-old Rogers City resident was mentored by mural artist Blaine Fontana from Oregon, who worked on the community mural around the corner on the same building. 

“I think the festival was amazing,” said Myers. “It’s something I talked about at the donor dinner was how I am glad that art is finally being recognized in this town, because it seems like it had never been at this point until now. Now, it’s showing that these talents matter.”

Mural artist Erica Sedler from Maine, who did the view through a portal with a deer at the focal point, was painting the cinderblock pillars along North Third Street Monday to brighten them up “because it’s fun she said. Sedler was taking part in her first mural festival.

“It’s was really wonderful,” said Sedler. “The group of artists here together have bonded so much and thought we became friends rather quickly, and just supported each other through this entire experience.”

Sedler added that the MOM committee was very accommodating.

“Everyone I interacted with, it was positive,” she said. 

On behalf of the MOM committee, Pritchard commended the sponsors, volunteers, the artists and participants. 

“I want to give a special recognition to the city of Rogers City and the Michigan Main Street board,” said Pritchard.

Funding comes from a crowdfunding, matching grant called Patronicity through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

To achieve the match, MOM sought support from community members, local businesses and larger corporations.

Once the 50 percent ($25K) was achieved, MEDC granted the other half of the $50,000 goal to support the festival.

The decision on artwork starts with the completion of a questionnaire regarding what type of art the building owner is interested in.

“After that, we find an artist and they draw a design and show it to the owner,” Pritchard said. “At that time, the owner can say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Typically, the artist will be willing to draw another design if the building owner did not like it. After that, it is all on the artist.”

What about a third festival in 2026?  

“We absolutely would love to have another mural festival next year,” Pritchard further commented. “That all depends on funding, sponsorships, in-kind donations, volunteers and building walls availability.”