Downtown Big Rapids is scheduled for a cool, $2 million facelift – “Artworks,” a gallery which supports the work of local artists, is to receive a large portion of the funding.

For purposes of revitalization and economic enhancement, the City of Big Rapids was recently awarded a $1 million Vibrant Small Cities Initiative grant, which is administered through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Matching funds from the city as well as participating downtown merchants is required. 

The goal is to become a Cultural Center – a magnet for visual and performing artists of all ages.

Artworks officials want to provide an artists’  incubator type of environment, for the study, creation and performance of all forms of art: visual art, dance, music and theatre. 

The three story, brick structure located at 106 N. Michigan  in downtown Big Rapids is literally bursting at the seams with new ventures. With the federal funds, Artworks plans to renovate its second floor, expanding to three levels. 

Its basement, referred to as “Artworks Underground,” offers dance classes: ballroom, country line dance, ballet, jazz, clogging, belly dance, and hip hop. Space is also allocated for art and pottery classes and crafts.

The main floor of Artworks is The Gallery. Ted Evans, gallery director, is raising the profile of the existing gallery.

The concept of “Artworks” began 32 years ago in the summer of 1976. A handful of community members, led by Annette and Russell Kirk, pooled their creative energies and performed traveling musicals. Local performing artists were given a platform to express their talents in the parks of Big Rapids, School Section Lake and Stanwood in celebration of our nation’s bicentennial. 

Mecosta County Council for the Arts (MCCA) was born of these traveling  productions.

In 2000, Deborah Szot, then president of Downtown Business Association, addressed the issue of creating a center. 

MCCA offered $10,000 to Szot as seed money to establish a gallery for local artists. MCCA offered this money on one condition:

“This was a huge financial risk for MCCA,” said Szot. “This money was to be matched.”

Business people like The  Schubergs and Karl Linebaugh of Chemical Bank got the ball rolling financially, Szot explained.  

In no time at all the door of Artworks read “Open for Business.”

The Show Goes On With Stage M

Big Rapids – No big names, no rising stars, no ground breaking productions – yet, ordinary people in small towns across the nation are drawn to their very own community theatre with eager anticipation. 

“Something magic happens,” said Jerena Keys, STAGE-M 25-year charter member. “And when the audience is drawn into a performance ... It’s just a lot of fun.”

STAGE-M is an acronym for Society for Theatre Arts Growth Education and Enjoyment in Mid-Michigan. Since its inception in 1982 in the drama “Our Town,” STAGE-M strives for a balanced repertoire of four productions per year: drama, tragedy and comedy, plus a summer musical.  

STAGE-M takes pride in the fact that with each play one-third of its production crew and actors are novices. Through the years instructional classes have provided: acting classes, technical direction for lights and sound, set construction, how to apply stage make-up and how to successfully try out for a role in an upcoming play.    

“This is your neighbor singing. These men, women, children are from your community,” Keys said. “Theatre brings a sense of excitement and wonderment into our lives. Hopefully, the audience will take that childlike sense of wonder and magic home with them, making it a part of their daily lives.”

Upcoming schedule

“The Night of January 16th,” –  Feb. 14 - 17

“The Best Man,” April 3-6 

“Beauty & the Beast,” July 24-27 

“The Male Animal,” (see  www.stage-m.org for dates)

For more information call (231) 592-TIXX

Ferris Festival of the Arts returns

BIG RAPIDS – After a long absence, the Festival of the Arts returned to Big Rapids in February 2008. The month-long celebration of art, music, film and poetry featured more than 32 events.

The festival was highlighted by performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony, local talents from Ferris State University and Big Rapids, Jef Mallett, creator of the comic strip “Frazz;” Susan Ager, a columnist for the Detroit Free Press and author who will give a workshop titled “Everyone Has a Story to Tell;” Traverse City poet Terry Wooten and Benjamin Busch, a Reed City resident, HBO television actor and major in the United States Marine Corps who  displayed his “Art in War” exhibit and many more.

“We have an incredible amount of talent in this little town,” said Bruce Dilg, associate professor of Architectural Technology and Facility Management at FSU and festival chair. “The festival is a way to use the arts to bridge any gap between the community of Big Rapids and Ferris.”

The Festival of the Arts’ variety and unique offerings provide something to inspire everyone. For more information visit Ferris State University online at www.ferris.edu.

The sky is the limit for inspiration at dance studio

PARIS – Dance is the expression of feeling through rhythm and body movement. The purpose of dance is to communicate our thoughts and feelings.

We dance for social reasons.

We dance to tell a story or interpret an idea.   

Toddlers seemingly dance for the pure joy of it, when their verbal skills are minimal.

Professional dancers entwine music and grace as an art form. And then there are those who dance solely for the richness it adds to ordinary life.

“Everyone has a dancer in them,” urged 25-year-old Stefanya Murray, owner of Rhythmic Sky Studios. “I was always one of those dancing kids, since age 10, when my mother signed me up for class. Dance has always been an outlet for me.”

Now, as a dance instructor, she has the opportunity to help her students explore the joy of dance. Murray is excited to be able to teach the students this life-long skill which can be used as a tool for personal, inner happiness.

The majority of Stefanya’s students are aged 3 to 10 years. Parents involve their children in dance class for a multitude of reasons: the child is “clumsy”; the child is shy; he or she just sits in front of the computer instead of exercising; or simply parents want their sons and daughters to be able to experience something to awaken the creative spirit inside them.

Murray explains to students that dance isn’t just fun, it’s good for them. Dance teaches good posture – to stand up straight with an aura of self-confidence. Dance is physical exercise; teaching balance and coordination. Dance is a team sport, all dancers must work together. To point toes with grace, synchronized leg lifts and arm movements require repetition and discipline.   

Dressed in colorful leotard and tights, satin shoes and hair pulled back like true ballerinas, most of the girls at Rhythmic Sky Studios come to dance class for the pure, simple reason that it is “fun.”

“I encourage kids to do their best,” Murray said. “Having the desire to do their very best makes each of my students a dancer.”