Written by Cheryl Mahowald for The Lakeshore Artists Guild
Imagine, if you will, Sputnik crashing onto the streets of Manitowoc. When the dust settles, picture the downtown area swarming with artists, aliens, performers, poets and musicians… the unique, the fabulous, and the entertaining. Coming to you on September 12, 2020, Art Slam meets Sputnikfest. It will be a blast!
The theme for 2020 Art Slam is “Downtown Faces.” Is it a face or a facade? Interpret it as you will. Art Slam activities will happen from 9AM-2:30PM and Sputnikfest will run from noon-10PM. Organizers from both events are planning an afternoon art parade from Art Slam to Sputnikfest. Everyone is invited to put on their best face and march in the parade- or get really creative and design a float.
Art Slam will feature visual artists, and it will include literary arts, and performing arts. The Guild will continue to partner with local poets to present Poetry Slam. The public mural project, a hugely popular part of Art Slam will again be part of 2020’s event. If you haven’t seen the mural from last year, check it out under the 8th Street bridge. Keep an eye out for the the Art Slam Challenge artists, feverishly working on creating artwork in just two days. There will be hands-on art activities, and a costume and mask-making station, (just in case you want to participate in the parade). Last year, generous support from the community enabled the Lakeshore Artists Guild to put paid performers and artists on the streets throughout the day, and we plan to do the same in 2020.
Art Slam 2020, activities will be located in the central downtown area by the Manitowoc Public Library, the Farmer’s Market, and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. The Wharf will be hosting world-class entertainment on their stage and offering art-themed beverages. Other plans are in the works. The Manitowoc Public Library hopes to offer art-related workshops as well as hosting working artists in their lobby and mezzanine. Among other activities, planners are working with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum to organize an “art-up-your-boat” parade, yoga on the upper deck of the museum with Theresa Falvey, and a possible drum circle. The Hamilton Wood Type Museum will have a presence at the event, providing a hands-on printing activity. The Capitol Civic Center is looking forward to being involved and musicians from the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra will be playing throughout the day.
You won’t want to miss it. Art Slam is designed to showcase the creative community that is Manitowoc. If you or your organization would like to be involved, please contact us at lakeshoreartistsguild@gmail.com One of our favorite quotes from last year is “This is great! The kids are having a blast and I’m having just as much fun.” So be sure and mark your calendars. It will be out of this world!
Stay up to date on all Art Slam activities. See our website at lakeshoreartistsguild.weebly.com and check out our Facebook page: Art Slam Manitowoc
