Canvas Pontiac Accepting 2016 Submissions
(Canvas Pontiac Press Release, Feb. 7, 2016)
Pontiac, MI – Canvas Pontiac brings art and culture back to Downtown Pontiac.  Inviting local artists from around Michigan to submit and display their art to be shared on public display throughout Downtown Pontiac.
Canvas Pontiac is inspiring the community to be involved.  The vision is to become an international program.  Last year our call for artists was seen by over 1000 people the regional talent contest, pulling artists from further and further away as well as those right here in our own neighborhoods.  Everyone is connected to Pontiac.
The fourth season of Canvas Pontiac 2016 continues the efforts to bring art and culture to the community.  Last year fifty-six artists submitted their works for display.  Twenty-five of those made it through initial jury to be showcased on large 8×10′ canvases on buildings throughout Downtown Pontiac.
The arts feel alive in Downtown Pontiac.  For our contributing artists it has always been a sense of pride to have their art enlarged to large 8’x10′ canvases, but this year, thanks to the partnership with the DIA, the artists were validated even further by having the DIA logo placed on their canvased art.
Through a partnership program, the Pontiac Downtown Business Associations “Canvas Pontiac” program has fostered the arts throughout Downtown.  For two years running Pontiac welcomed the DIA Inside|Out program showing the masters of the DIA to our Pontiac thanks to funding from the Kauffman Foundation.  With incredible passion the program has continued to foster, and for it’s second year the DIA has outreached through Canvas Pontiac to demonstrate how tax funding can bring arts to a community like Pontiac.
Art related business ventures are also seeing their rise as part of our artistic community returning such as artist lofts and art businesses.  You may have heard of some of the most recent projects including the development of The Strand Theatre, as well as the PLAT (Pontiacs Little Art Theater) at 47 N. Saginaw.  You can feel the arts coming back.
Last year’s programs invited over 500 people to walk our downtown on several tours to explore what we have to offer, and the art we display is seen daily by 18,000 commuters.  Canvas Pontiac’s art awakening is doing its job in helping people “Discover the Spirit of Pontiac”.
On Thursday June 11, Elektricity night club hosted the third awards program to honor our top artists of the season.  In a great Circus and Classical entertainment production we honored the artists for making themselves vulnerable to public opinion, and beautiful displays of public expression.
For info on how to submit go to http://www.canvaspontiac.com/#!call-for-artists/z49gr.