With Lakeshore Art Festival near, international muralist’s work now graces Muskegon

Bre McCarthy, Lakeshore Art Festival marketing/entertainment coordinator, is clearly head over heels in love with artist Kelsey Montague’a mural. (Lakeshore Art Festival)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Muralist fans — actually art fans of any genre — have a new sight to see as the Lakeshore Art Festival, in conjunction with the JCI Greater Muskegon, held a public unveiling of a mural by internationally known “street artist” Kelsey Montague in downtown Muskegon.

The artist, known for her winged murals, has about 77 similar works on display around the world, including one piece commissioned by singer/songwriter Taylor Swift and two pieces located in Michigan, one in Ann Arbor and another Detroit.

The mural will be permanently displayed on the east side of the Frauenthal Center building. The Lakeshore Art Festival will take place July 5-6.

Artist Kelsey Montague, middle, with to the right is Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival director, on right, and Danielle Conley, Lakeshore Art Festival Children’s Lane coordinator. (Lakeshore Art Festival)

Montague’s “pieces are inspirational, inclusive and uplifting,” Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival director, said in supplied material. “It’s a great message and a perfect fit for the Lakeshore Art Festival and for the Muskegon Lakeshore area … The Frauenthal Center stands as a symbol of a community that is deeply dedicated to the arts.”

According to supplied material, the transformation of the Muskegon Lakeshore community served as inspiration for this project. The visual elements inside the butterfly wings, a blue heron, black-eyed susan, water, lighthouse, and music notes bring attention to aspects of the Muskegon lakeshore.

The new mural by Kelsey Montague on the outside wall of Muskegon’s Frauenthal Center. (Lakeshore Art Festival)

“We are inspired by this uplifting project and the community collaboration behind it,” Eric Messing, Frauenthal Center executive director, said in supplied material. “This piece highlights and celebrates the vibrant transformation happening in our area, and the Frauenthal Center is thrilled to serve as home to a work of art that will spark conversation for our community and visitors alike.”

The Lakeshore Art Festival is always the first Friday and Saturday in July, and this year will feature more than 350 fine art and craft exhibitors, street performers, specialty food booths, interactive art stations, children’s activities and so much more in beautiful Downtown Muskegon, Michigan.

For more information visit lakeshoreartfestival.org.