Original story by Natalie Broda for The Michigan Times
October 29, 2012

Flint, MI – This month’s Art Walk was a huge success by any account. On top of all the local arts and eats, a live show was performed on the lawn of the Wade-Trim Building. The Spencer Agency worked alongside with local church groups to put on the event, which featured a full light show, dancers, a hydraulic lift and pyrotechnics. Near the end of Art Walk, they launched an entire fireworks show over downtown Flint.

“We’re really hyped to get started here,” CEO of The Spencer Agency Josh Spencer said. “All the work is original and composed for this event. We usually do something big for every Art Walk but this time we wanted to go bigger.”

The show accomplished its goal, drawing large crowds into the streets.

Local art vendors came out in force to support Art Walk and share their works. Lynda DeGuise is a jeweler and a crafter for nearly 35 years. She teamed up alongside some of her other vendor friends outside of Pages Bookstore for the event.

“Art Walk is a wonderful thing for this city. Honestly, I just wish the youth would come out. I think maybe they just don’t know what’s going on down here,” DeGuise said. “Anywhere else you’d have to pay for this type of experience. But to come and walk and see all of this fantastic art for free? It’s changing the face of the city.”

DeGuise isn’t alone in this sentiment. Rounding the corner to downtown on any other day, one can expect to see the regulars. But during Art Walk the streets are flowing with people, and music.

Stephanie Hackey is a native of Flint, and she works with yarn products and comics. She also runs the Flint Art Project. She says she’s been attending Art Walk for six years, two of those with her own vendor space.

“I always wanted to have a table here because I really admire the momentum behind this cause.” Hackey said.

But not every artist needs or wants a table, like Dan Hauber, a spray painter. He arrived at nightfall and laid out large white boards and numerous cans of paint. He was quick to draw a crowd as most of his works only took ten to fifteen minutes.

“You have to work fast because the paint dries out,” Hauber says. “I’ve been doing spray for four years now but I’ve been painting for much longer.”

When asked how he was first inspired to paint, Hauber cited the late Bob Ross, television’s painting phenomenon.

Festivities carried on into the night as people explored the exhibits. The next Art Walk is scheduled for November 9 (or the second Friday of every month).

Original article…