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MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Arts Board is celebrating its fifth year this fall and has much to show for it, from massive murals spanning the walls of buildings, to seasonal events like Trail Tunes and the Pumpkin Walk.
The board is the brainchild of Madison Heights City Councilman Mark Bliss. Previously, the city had “zero public art,” he said, but since its creation, the board has overseen the building murals at Civic Center Park, Rosie’s Park and Huffman Park, as well as a facade mural on the Madison Heights Public Library, and several interactive sidewalk murals.
In addition, the Arts Board has collaborated with the Detroit Institute of Arts on the recurring Inside|Out exhibits in the parks, featuring framed replicas of famous works from the DIA’s collection. The board also held a photo contest that resulted in a city calendar, and hosted karaoke nights and art classes for the community.
But the board is perhaps best known for popular annual events such as the strolling outdoor music festival Trail Tunes, and the family-friendly Pumpkin Walk held around Halloween.
“The Arts Board has been extremely active with bringing art into our community,” Bliss said in an email. “(Trail Tunes and the Pumpkin Walk) brought the community together during the pandemic, and continue to bring a lot of fun and excitement to our city.”
Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, noted the many changes the board has undergone in the last half-decade, including its membership, staff liaisons with the city, and alternate council representatives.
The current key positions include Chairman Steve Dombroski, Vice Chair Michael Covert, Treasurer Jenni Zmarzlik, staff liaison and Secretary Adam Owczarzak, and Bliss as the council representative.
“But what has stayed the course is the vision Mark Bliss had to bring more art and culture to the city,” Grafstein said via email. “From building murals to sidewalk murals, Halloween-themed pumpkin walks and the pandemic-safe Trail Tunes, the Arts Board continues to weave small pieces of art into our everyday lives.
“I came onto council shortly after the Arts Board was formed and I have enjoyed watching what they are bringing to the city,” the mayor added. “The free events are fun to attend, and the murals bring us light and color every day.”
Laurie Geralds was the board’s first president, and has been a member for all five years.
“As the Arts Board approaches its five-year anniversary, it’s easy to reflect on all that has been accomplished, and see that we are bringing value to the city in ways we didn’t anticipate when the board was first created,” Geralds said via email. “We’ve designed two new annual community events with the Pumpkin Walk and Trail Tunes, and added color to several city parks with wall and sidewalk murals, helping Madison Heights to be known as a family-friendly city.
“Through these and other initiatives, we have generated community cohesiveness and volunteerism that inspires more involvement each year by our residents and local businesses,” she said. “I’m excited to have been a part of it all, and can’t wait to see what the next five years bring.”
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