Thank You Sponsors, Fundraisers, Governor Whitmer, Our Artists, Workshops, Bands, and more
Less than two months out!
A Note From Chuck
We are just two months away from GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Visual Art Experience 2025. Can you dig it?
A couple of questions I get a lot are “What is GIG?” and “What does GIG stand for? In my mind, I know what GIG is all about, but I get that it may not be totally clear. I can also see that folks may wonder what the hell is “GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation”? Is it about music? Does GIG mean “Goat Is Great”?
First off, GIG isn’t an acronym. It literally is the word “gig” - meaning a performance or show. Goats are great, but the letters GIG are just the word “gig”.
As for what GIG is about, our mission is simple: we want to showcase the visual artists from Michigan who are involved in music. By visual artists, we mean the creative folks who create album covers, band t-shirts, band or music logos, take concert/music photographs, craft music videos, and design gig posters (hence our name). Our annual event (held this year at Art 634 in Jackson on Saturday, November 8th) is where we shine the spotlight on these visual artists.
While we care deeply about Michigan music, our focus is less about the music and more about the visual art that adds dimension to the music. The visual artists involved in music tend to be the unsung heroes. You see their fantastic drawings, designs, photos, and videos, but often don't know who they are. The typical art gallery general ignores these works. If a gallery does showcase this work, they typically take a significant commission for any sales. We ensure that the visual artists at our annual event keep 100% of their sales and do not pay a table fee to be part of GIG.
On top of our visual art exhibition, we bring opportunities for learning and networking. This year we’ve got panels on graphic design and photography, as well as sessions on promoting your brand and advertising. These sessions, as well as the art exhibit, are free and open to anyone of any skill level or experience.
As a celebration of what inspires the visual art, we typically incorporate live music. This is another chance to hang out, listen to great music, and savor the visual art that adds an important dimension to the music.
A Letter From The Governor
We were hoping the Governor would stop by for a visit, but she was kind enough to send us a letter 🙂
Sponsor Shout Out!
I want to take a minute to acknowledge our sponsors. These are local businesses that are part of our community and believe in supporting the visual arts and education. When you are looking to spend your hard-earned dollars, take a look at our sponsors. Chances are, they offer exactly what you are looking for.
At the top of the list are our Rockstars! Manchester Underground Music and Art, Rocket Printing, Guitar Hi-Fi, Life In Michigan, Art 634, The Stratton Setlist, and Swamp Street Design are heavily invested in local art and music.
Next up are the Label Executives! Jackson Magazine is the journalistic pulse of Jackson County. Each issue finds them diving deep into stories of the fantastic people that call Jackson County home.
Moving on to our Tour Managers! Chelsea State Bank, American 1 Credit Union, Ogma Brewing, Experience Jackson, McShane Photography, CameralMall, Current Magazine, and Jeff Deeds are foundational and committed to helping their communities thrive.
Finally, we couldn’t do this without the Roadies! Iron Bark Brewing, Adorned Tattoo, and Jackson College are vital community members who share our passion for art.
New Sponsors!!
CameraMall (located at 2275 W Stadium Blvd in Ann Arbor) is your source for photography equipment, service, and printing. Their mission is to provide an exceptional customer experience, sharing the latest gear, techniques and photo community news, in order to guide you to the perfect product to tell your unique story. They are strong supporters of local artists and are providing our visual artists with big discounts on printing, framing, and scanning services.
Jackson College is a world-class institution of higher education where learners succeed and community needs are met. We are thrilled to work with Associate Professor Christie Hughes from the Graphic Design department. She is helping us in our educational mission by introducing some of her students to the visual arts in music, which will provide a fun way to explore their artistic talents while networking with working professionals.
Current Magazine is your premier source for all things culture in Ann Arbor. Current has been around for 40 years, but became a part of the Adams Street Publishing brand in 2008.
Fundraisers Recap
The Detroit Music Scene Mixer - Summer Edition, organized by Jennifer Westwood and hosted by Guitar Hi-Fi, was spectacular. We met a ton of great people who are passionate about Michigan Music. They are also super generous as we raised $120!!
Upcoming Fundraisers
ECLIPSE YOGA at WOLVERINE PICKLEBALL On Sunday, September 14 (3-5p p.m.), our friend Roo from Eclipse Yoga is offering a yoga class at Wolverine Pickleball in Ann Arbor (235 Metty Dr., Ann Arbor, 48103)
All levels welcome
All proceeds will go toward the GIG annual event!
Afterward, we can relax at Wolverine Pickleball and enjoy a beverage from their wall of beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Thank you, Roo from Eclipse Yoga and the awesome folks at Wolverine Pickleball!!
Meet The Artists
All this month on our social media, we are sharing our visual artist profiles along with how you can dive deep into their outstanding work. Take a minute and meet our artists.
Workshops
We have some great educational and networking opportunities at GIG 2025. Make a plan to spend the afternoon soaking up these sessions featuring working professionals sharing their insights.
Building Your Networking Skills
1p - 1:50p
Presented by Jen Prouty (Visual Artist & Creative Marketing Coach)
A visual artist and marketing expert who helps others build confidence and connections, Jen Prouty leads this interactive session designed to elevate your professional presence. You’ll learn how to:
Craft a clear, compelling elevator pitch
Rebrand yourself or your work when it’s time for a change
Use classic, in-person networking skills to make meaningful connections in the creative world
Expect to participate and leave with tools you can use right away.
Social Media & Advertising
2p - 2:50p
Presented by Dave Ciccotte (Digital Creator & Marketing Strategist - Owner: No Quarter Media Co.)
Digital creator and marketing strategist Dave Ciccotte shares his no-nonsense approach to building your brand and reaching your audience. With experience helping artists, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits, he’ll guide you through:
Developing a creative brand identity
Making the most of social media platforms
Advertising your work without burning out or breaking the bank
This session is packed with real-world advice you can apply immediately.
Graphic Artist Panel
3p - 3:50p
Moderated by Chrissy Hughes (Jackson College, Associate Professor)
Chrissy Hughes, a designer, educator, and creative force at Jackson College, brings her experience in branding and communications to this panel exploring the world of graphic design. She’ll guide a conversation with:
Craig Horky – An illustrator and designer whose work spans screen prints, comics, and gig posters with a distinct and often humorous style
Jacob Rosenburg – A multidisciplinary artist and illustrator known for his bold, expressive poster art. Creator of this year’s GIG - The Art of Michigan Music poster
Dennis Preston – A legendary figure in Michigan’s art and music scenes with decades of vibrant, hand-drawn album and poster art
They’ll share their paths, process, and how they’ve built lasting creative relationships in the music world.
Photography Panel
4p - 4:50p
Moderated by Chuck Marshall (Founder of GIG, Life In Michigan)
Chuck Marshall, concert photographer and co-founder of GIG and Life In Michigan, leads a discussion with three outstanding visual storytellers:
Jena Hovey – Known for capturing high-energy, live performances and intimate portraits of musicians
Doug Coombe – A veteran photojournalist published in Rolling Stone, Spin, and Hour Detroit, capturing the heart of Michigan’s music scene
Derek Ketchum – A photographer and writer documenting Michigan’s vibrant music and arts community
They’ll dive into how to capture compelling images, build trust with artists, and sustain a creative career behind the lens.
Music
We wrap up GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Visual Experience 2025 with live music from Paper Lanterns, Mazinga, and Carbon Decoy. Tickets are just $15 to help us pay the bands a decent wage for their superb music.
Food
Don’t worry about food this year at GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Visual Art Experience 2025 we’ve got you covered!!.
Fila’s Fantastic Food is back!! Specializing in delicious Americanized egg rolls; it’s like your favorite sandwich inside an eggroll! They also have the best loaded fries and homemade nachos in town. It may be a tiny truck, but they are HUGE on flavor.
Burnt Honey is a family-owned food trailer serving up the best BBQ. Their slow-cooked meats are sure to satisfy!
WANT TO HELP OUT THE CAUSE?
Help us showcase the amazing visual artists in Michigan Music by becoming a sponsor of our Visual Arts Experience 2025. If you have a lead on a sponsor, get in touch with me at (info@gigartmich.org). Any amount of help is greatly appreciated.
Don’t Miss This!
At GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation, we want to amplify the visual art of Michigan music. Here is some news, events, and happenings that you might find interesting. If you are a Michigan visual artist involved in the music community, shoot us your events and news to share - email us at info@gigartmich.org
Sounds of the Zoo - Sept 22 - 28 in Kalamazoo - There will be bands, art, food, and a special showing of the documentary Kalamazoo Gals about the women of Gibson on Sept 26 in Bronson Park!
Business In The Key of D on Saturday, Oct 18th at Wayne State in Detroit - The Michigan Music Alliance is hosting a day of learning and networking on the music industry in Michigan. While geared toward musicians, there is plenty that can apply to the visual arts. Besides, it is a great opportunity to meet with other creative folks.
PRESS RELEASE - VISUAL ART EXPERIENCE 2025
Our latest press release is available on our website. Please share with everyone you know!
THRIVE IN 25 - Get Your GIG Merch
We have a lot of merchandise to unload. Prices have been slashed. Help us unload this inventory.
Support GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation
Our Mission
GIG—The Art of Michigan Music Foundation celebrates and amplifies Michigan's rich music culture by highlighting the visual artists who shape its creative identity. Through exhibitions, workshops, and live events, we provide a platform for photographers, graphic designers, and videographers who craft concert posters, album art, band t-shirts, logos, and music videos—essential visual elements that elevate and support Michigan’s vibrant music community.
GIG—The Art of Michigan Music Foundation is committed to preserving and enriching Michigan's rich musical heritage while nurturing current and future generations of visual artists.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Michigan-based visual artists who contribute to the music community are celebrated and supported. Our long-term goal is to raise funds to provide stipends for artists participating in our annual showcase, GIG - The Art of Michigan Music. By alleviating the financial barriers of art show participation, we aim to create a platform that not only highlights their work but also offers meaningful opportunities for them to connect with the public and sell their creations.
