Greetings TARTans,
Yesterday morning a small group of us gathered to celebrate a pretty big deal - the Boardman Serenade. The new large-scale mural catches the eye and the imagination. Thanks to funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, facilitated by the Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network, we were able to commission internationally renowned and locally sourced artists Glenn Wolff and Rufus Snoddy to create and execute this incredible work. Both professors at Northwestern Michigan College, Rufus and Glenn engaged two students, Kiah Anderson and Logan Hudson, to work alongside them on the project. Seen from different perspectives - along the trail and across the lake - the Serenade is enjoyed by trail users as they make their way around the Loop. This captivating piece of public art is part of our Art on the TART program. We are excited to be working with the Traverse City Arts Commission, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network, and others to provide opportunities along the TART Trails network to share the experience of public art through a hands-on, easily accessible, and community centered approach. Together with our partners, we're working to ensure that encounters with art, an essential component to the rich texture of the fabric that is the story of our time and place, are easy to come by and bring a sense of delight and inspiration to your time on the trails.
Julie Clark, Chief Executive Officer |
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 MDOT Public Input | Elmwood Township
The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to rebuild a 2.2 mile section of M-72 (Grandview Parkway) from Division Street in Traverse City and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township in 2025. Later today they will host an open house to present draft designs for the project, which incorporate public comment received at a June 2022 meeting. The meeting is from 4-6 pm at the Elmwood Township Hall at 10090 East Lincoln Road. More information and an online comment form here. |
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SPECIAL THANKS
We want to extend a huge thank you to artists Rufus Snoddy, Glenn Wolff, Kiah Anderson and Logan Hudson, and everyone who came out to celebrate the installation of the beautiful Boardman Serenade, a new mural along the Boardman Lake Loop. We are also incredibly grateful to Michigan Arts and Culture Council and Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network for their minigrant in support this project!
Sheila Franke, Jane Fisher, and their team from Disability Determination Services have been volunteering on the Leelanau Trail for United Way's Day of Caring since 2014! This dedicated group of co-workers teamed up with the Leelanau Trail Crew once again to contribute over 75 volunteer hours in a single day. We're so grateful for all the years and contributions to the trail - thanks for choosing TART Trails!
The Loop is bursting with stunning sights and elements meant to enhance your experience, as well as support the natural resource it surrounds. Many thanks to the talented Melissa Sole for taking on the island garden project at 16th Street and adding to the beauty and the health of the Boardman.
Many thanks to the TARTans who stepped up to help at the TART Trails food stop for Cherry Capital Cycling Club's annual Leelanau Harvest Tour. We're grateful for our partners at the Club and look forward to supporting this fun event each year.
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Welcome to the newest members of our Sustainers Circle of Donors!
Bernard and Helen Hoogland
David and Yvonne Hunter
Virginia and Lew Coulter
Thank you for making happy, healthy, connected communities happen.
Learn more about our Sustainers Circle here. |
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Up North Pride
At TART Trails we are celebrating our 2SLGBTQIA+ all week long with Up North Pride, our dedicated community partner organization whose mission is to foster inclusive spaces by providing education and resources, inspiring activism and advocacy, and producing community-focused 2SLGBTQIA+ programs and events. We're grateful for our partners who make Northern Michigan a more diverse, inclusive, and safe place for everyone. Hope to see you at the festivities this week and be sure to come by the TART tent to say hello this Sunday at the Big Gay Brunch!
"We love partnering with TART Trails—we both grew out of a small, but mighty concept, that many people put a lot of love into resulting in a stronger and more connected community. Both Up North Pride and TART Trails are focused on education and advocacy to make our region more accessible for everyone in our communities."
- Pam Amundson, Up North Pride
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Big Gay Brunch - Sunday, October 2
Join us at the Big Gay Brunch and Picnic to close out Up North Pride week this Sunday. Local food and beverages can be purchased on-site with opportunities to interact with local nonprofit booths. The event will feature live local music stylings and family-friendly activities. More here.
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Vasa Ski Swap - Saturday, October 22
Winter is coming and we're helping Northern Michigan get ready! Back for another year, Brick Wheels, the Vasa Ski Club, TART Trails, NMMBA and eager winter enthusiasts from across the region kick off the season with the Ski Swap on October 22. More here.
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Acme Connector Ribbon Cutting - Tuesday, October 25
Join TART Trails and Top of Michigan Trails Council to celebrate the grand opening of the Acme Connector (opening soon!) This 2 mile trail connects the TART and Acme Township, providing safe access to businesses, existing trails, and recreation opportunities. It also serves as the first official segment of the Nakwema Trailway. More here.
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Zombie Run - Saturday, October 29
We can feel autumn in the air and that means we're gearing up for this family favorite fall tradition. Right Brain Brewery is the host with the most. Zombies and beer = winning combination. Stick around for medals, costume prizes, music, refreshments, and zombie socializing! More here.
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TART TRIVIA
Did you know there is another Rufus Snoddy and Glenn Wolff collaboration mural in Traverse City? You can find it at the beautiful Bijou by the Bay theatre.
The Bijou features large scale murals showcasing the beautiful Lake Michigan shores on which it sits. The murals were designed and painted by award-winning local artists Rufus Snoddy and Glenn Wolff. Sharp eyes may notice a few things that don’t quite fit with the naturalistic imagery: several “easter eggs” relating to classic films and local history are hidden within the murals. (Hint: one relates to “The Wizard of Oz.”) Take a close look at the murals the next time you catch a flick and see what you can find.
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