- So Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is a nonprofit arts council, and our focus and mission is to foster creativity within the community and the surrounding area, and we do that by supporting and facilitating local artists and creative programming.

One of the benefits that art has is economic benefit, and also bringing people together, that social connection.

So what we saw was a three block blighted area that was located on the north side of our downtown, and this alleyway actually sat between the north entrances of these businesses, and the majority of parking within our community.

First impression, blighted alleyway.

We already kind of struggle in northern Michigan around that stereotype, that rural stereotype of being uneducated, no opportunities, and that type of thing, and blight only helps reinforce that.

So what we wanted to do is through art and culture, transform that and really send the message of what our community is all about.

- [Presenter] What started as a dream was gaining momentum.

Fueled by clear vision and determination, the council soon formed partnerships with local businesses and organizations to start transforming the space.

The project Art In The Alley was already underway when the city of Gaylord was awarded $15,000 for a second place finish in a Consumer Energy Foundation pitch competition.

With money in hand, the community was ready to put their mark on their city.

- And when we say community, it means what community means to us.

It represents literally our community, and in order to represent our community and to celebrate our community, we want everybody that wants to engage to be actively involved.

Whether that is they're an artist, and they design a mural and put that in, whether it's working alongside of artists to put in an art installation.

It could be planting flowers.

- [Presenter] From murals, to sculptures, to mosaics, each art piece tells a different story about the people who call Gaylord home.

- And so the mosaic was made up of 408 tiles, and we invited all community members to come out and create a four by four painting of what they felt community meant to them, and then when we put it together, it represents the community as a whole and when you stand back, you can see a larger picture.

- The Art in the Alley Project is converting a back alley into something truly one of a kind.

At the same time, using art to spark conversations and engage all who visit downtown.

- Public art is phenomenal in that even people that aren't seeking it out are exposed to it, and then can receive the benefit of it.

So I think that's the one piece that is really important about that public art with murals, and statues, and stuff that are throughout downtown that people might just be coming to the area and just walking through to shop or go to a restaurant, and then all of a sudden there's this giant mural or 3D sculpture that grabs their attention, and then they're able to engage with that art and take a deeper look at that art, and possibly spur in them conversations with others, and learn more about that.

And then through that they're able to, hopefully the intention is, is that they begin to seek out even more creative opportunities.

The ultimate vision is to make that completely pedestrian friendly, to incorporate seating, to incorporate lighting, to eventually there's some power lines and things in the way to work to get those underground and clean that completely up, and as you walk through, that's what you will have is you will have an immersive experience with art, and learn about our culture, and who we are in Northern Michigan.

- Art in the Alley is intentional