Two weekends of art to transform downtown Mt. Pleasant
Through interactive experiences, artist showcases and opportunities to connect with creators, back-to-back Mt. Pleasant arts events aim to make art more accessible while drawing people downtown.
What’s Happening: Two back-to-back weekends of art-focused festivals will take place downtown Mt. Pleasant this August. For Art’s Sake’s 9th annual 2026 Market for the Arts activities and vendor fairs are from Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23. Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host Artists Battle 2026 and the inaugural Artists Market on Saturday, August 29.
More About Market for the Arts with For Arts Sake: The weekend of August 21 kicks off with an After-Dark Art Vendor Market with s’mores pits from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. hosted by For Arts Sake at the corner of Broadway and Main in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Also happening that evening is a Central Michigan Belly Dance performance at 6:30 p.m. and a comedy show at 8 p.m. (tickets here). On Saturday, events throughout 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. include an art vendor market, kid entrepreneur market, entertainment by Joel Tacey, free craft tables, plus outdoor splatter paint and tie dye art activities. On Sunday, Market for the Arts attendees can shop the art vendor market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., participate in donation-based yoga, a live art battle, or attend the Crow Party. All event details can be found at forartssakeonline.com.
More About Art Reach’s Artists Battle 2026 and Artists Market: From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, Broadway will be closed from Main Street to University Street in Mt. Pleasant, transforming downtown into an open-air studio and gallery. Artists will compete in the annual Artists Battle from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., a live art competition where participants from three age divisions will create original artwork while spectators watch the creative process unfold. This year’s jurors are Valeria Allen and Andrea Croft. New this year, Art Reach of Mid Michigan is also hosting an Artists Market from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. along Broadway Street. The outdoor market offers artists, makers, and young entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase and sell their work while connecting with the community.
What They’re Saying: “Artists Battle has always been a celebration of creativity in action,” says Amy Powell, executive director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan. “Adding the Artists Market allows even more artists to participate while giving the community the opportunity to shop local, discover talented makers, and experience a full day dedicated to the arts.”
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