By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist
Have you noticed that lately our district has been looking even more, spiffy, than usual? A bit more vibrant? Inviting? COLORFUL? We hope you have! Let us explain:
For the past while now, Uptown GR, Inc. has been busily collaborating together with our businesses and our property owners, as well as with our wildly talented and super robust local artist scene. We’ve worked together to add installations to our public art collection, one by one, like gems on a string. And now that we’ve really started to sparkle, we have created something we’re super proud of: Our first ever (self-guided) public art walking tour.
It is well-known by our beloved local community that embracing art…and individuality…and fun…and funkiness…and all that good stuff that gives life color, has long been a staple character trait of Uptown. We like to think that we’ve been a spot on the West Michigan map for a long time, when it comes to finding all things unique – be it music venues, or street fairs, or artisan markets… buskers, authentic ethnic eats, charming tea shops, bar-hops,…and yes, fizzy bursts and pops of pigment and creativity, pizzazz and interest, all ’round.
Meanwhile, the Uptown GR, Inc. organization exists as part of the district primarily as a support system for our local and independent businesses and our residential community too. One of the biggest ways we do that is by offering strategic ways to build on the foundational strengths of the district. And so, as one of its key objectives for the current fiscal year, the Marketing arm of the organization conceptualized a fresh way to invite district-goers to engage with Uptown, with a public art walking tour. The hope is that this tour offers our visitors a brand new reason to head on over to stroll our amazingly walkable district, and also offers our beloved “locals” an opportunity to see the district through perhaps fresh eyes.
The Tour includes 36 stops in which viewers can take in many gorgeous murals, ranging in age from “brand-spankin’-new-the-paint’s-barely-dried”, to “we’re-not-totally-sure-how-old-this-actually-is-we-just-know-it’s-been-here-a-very-long-longgggg-time”, (and everything in between!). There’s also plenty of fun “mini-installs” to dot the way with intrigue, things like rainbow crosswalks, funky utility box masterpieces by local artist/hero Reb Roberts, even painted storm drains!
We’ve estimated the tour takes around 1.5-2 hours to complete, and while strolling, you’ll have ample opportunity to meander through all four of our business districts: East Hills, Eastown, East Fulton, and our Wealthy Street Corridor. The tour is a fabulous way to gain a comprehensive understanding of the boundaries of the full district and learn a bit more about just how easily navigable we are. It would serve as a fun date-night, group-activity, or something to do with the kiddos too.
To check out a printable map of our Public Art Walking Tour, head on over to the ‘Discover’ tab on our website . There you’ll also find additional helpful information about getting to Uptown, parking, and more. You’re also welcomed to stop by any of our businesses to pick up a beautiful printed keepsake directory and map of the tour.
Now get on out there – and have fun!