Welcome to Festival of the Arts 2022! We are delighted to be able to offer a month of arts programs after our hiatus in 2021. The festival looks much like it has in the past with a combination of workshops, entertainments, and exhibits for you to enjoy. As in past years, we have offerings from multiple genres and for all age groups, all free of charge except in cases where workshop materials are required.

Brown Bag Lunch Series
Presented by Artworks

Fridays, February 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 12:00 pm
Artworks
106 N. Michigan Avenue

Feb. 4 — Jeff Weir: Building a Kayak Jeff Weir, whose photography of Michigan rivers is on exhibit in the Batdorff Gallery at Artworks during the Festival of the Arts, is also a skilled craftsman whose handmade kayak is also on display. In this brownbag talk, he will discuss the artistry of boat making.

Feb. 11 — Scott Heron Wild rice, or manoomin, is the seed that is a traditional food for many Native Americans. The plant grows in shallow water, and wild rice stands are peppered in various locations around the state. Tribes have been bringing back these stands, undertaking restoration projects that consist of re-seeding historic wild rice beds over a period of several years. Scott Heron will talk about wild rice in the Muskegon River Watershed, its history, restoration, ecology, and more.

Feb. 18 — David Johnson: Photographing Landscapes In and Around Water Photographer David Johnson shares his love of photographing water and the areas around water to convey both the energy and tranquility of the constantly moving resource. During this presentation, participants will explore ways to photograph creeks, streams, lakes, rivers, and the ocean with a variety of techniques and camera settings to capture water, creating an image that evokes an emotional response in the viewer.

Feb. 25 — Cyndi Fitzwilliam-Heck Learn more about the watershed you live in. The Muskegon River is the second largest river ecosystem in Michigan. Discover facts and connections you never knew, exploring the history, features, ecology, and environmental projects in this unique system.