That’s A Wrap for 2025 - Looking back, Looking Forward, Giving Thanks

Take the Survey and See You In 2026

GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025 was fantastic. This year’s event was a jam-packed day full of outstanding art, insightful conversations, and amazing live music. Above all, I think this year’s event was a marvelous way to bring our Michigan music community together while focusing on the visual arts that we love and enjoy.

There was a steady stream of folks coming to take in the visual art, learn something during the workshops, and browse the market vendors. I heard repeatedly how everyone not only enjoyed the art exhibition but also found great value in the chance to talk with the artists. This was true in artist-to-artist conversations as well as in gatherings of art and music enthusiasts sharing their thoughts and ideas.

There are many, many people to thank, especially everyone who came out to the event. It means a lot to have folks drive several hours to see the art and support the visual art of Michigan’s music community. I very much wish to thank our planning team and volunteers: Brenda, Lori, Steve, John, Berkeley, Jeff, Angie, Dave, Annie, and the Art 634 team. You were all outstanding!! An extra shoutout to Steve, John, and Berkeley from Manchester Underground for once again providing outstanding sound!!

Thank you to our workshop presenters and panel members: Jen Prouty, Dave Cicotte, Chrissy Hughes, Craig Horky, Jacob Rosenburg, Dennis Preston, Jena Hovey, and Derek Ketchum.

Huge thanks to our visual artists for GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025: Jacob Rosenburg, Cidney Bundon, Jackson College Graphic Design students: Jaylen, Lana, and Azaria, Jena Hovey, Bryan Durco, Doug Coombe, Craig Horky, Derek Ketchum, Jonathan Doyle, Dennis Preston, Sami Lipp-Mosier, Jon Rosenberger, Trippin Terry, Nathan Purchase, Matthew Jacobson, Logan Belz, Jen Prouty, Isabel Dowell, Carl Lungren, Brian Sheehan, and Brandon Nagy. Please be sure to check our website for links to these superb artists.

Cheers to our vendors CameraMall, Fret Rescue, Ari Franklin, and Yesterdream Studios.

Thanks to Jeff and Ryan from Mitten Music Podcast for spending the day with us and interviewing the artists. The interviews will be part of season 5 of their podcast, On The Road, which will be out in 2026. We’ll share the release with you in this newsletter.

A hell yeah to the bands: Paper Lanterns, Mazinga, and Carbon Decoy. You rock!!!

Thank you, Jennifer at FFF Food truck, for the excellent food. Thanks to Jeff and Tamra for handling the bar duties.

Last but not least, thank you to our sponsors Life In Michigan, Swamp Street Design, Rocket Printing, Manchester Underground, Guitar Hi-Fi, The Stratton Setlist, Art 634, Jeff “Dirty Deeds” and Angie Day, American 1 Credit Union, CameraMall, Experience Jackson, Ogma Brewing, Current Magazine, Chelsea State Bank, McShane Photography, Ironbark Brewing, and Jackson College.

Share Your Thoughts - Take The Survey

Whether you attended GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025 or not, we would love your feedback via our survey. This will inform us on what we are doing right and what we could improve on going forward. We promise, the survey is short and sweet.

GIG Coverage

Life In Michigan

A recap of GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025 is up on Life In Michigan. It includes a rundown of the day’s events, including the live music at the end of the day. There is a huge gallery of photos.

Local Spins

Derek Ketchum captured a ton of great images from GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025 for Local Spins.

John Sinkevics provided an excellent preview to GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2025

Ann Arbor’s 107one with Scott Vertical

Check out Ann Arbor’s 107one with Scott Vertical’s podcast episode, which featured GIG just before our event this year.

Radio Amor

Marty Slagter at Radio Amor wrote an excellent profile on visual artist Cidney Bundon from Detroit. The photographs are fabulous, and Cidney shares insights about them. When you come out to GIG 2025, be sure to check out some of Cidney’s imagery in the art exhibit.

JTV

The excellent people at JTV talked with Chuck about all things GIG on the Morning Show and just before GIG 2025 on The Bart Hawley Show.

Concentrate Magazine

Many thanks to Natalia Holtzman and Patrick Dunn of Concentrate magazine for their continued support of GIG. I had a nice chat with Natalia, and she wrote a fantastic preview of our event coming up on November 8th!

Sonic Coast

Many thanks to Brian Maloney of Sonic Coast for taking the time to chat with Chuck about GIG - The Art of Michigan Music. Not sure if it will be available for replay, but nonetheless, download the app and listen to Sonic Coast. They are HUGE supporters of Michigan music and all of the associated arts.

Current Magazine

In Current Magazine, Donna Iadipaolo interviewed Chuck for a story on GIG!

Manchester Mirror

Sara Swanson from the Manchester Mirror talked with poster artist Jonathan Doyle about the amazing posters he creates for Manchester Underground and his involvement with GIG.

517Rocks!!

Chuck was recently on 517Rocks talking to Jerry about all things GIG. This classic rock station was born in 2024 after its local rock station in Hudson, MI, called it quits. They play a lot of great Michigan rock as well as the classics. Be sure to check them out. You can listen online or via their app (Apple / Android). They are also available on Live365 and Stream 419. Stay up to date on what they are up to via their social media. Turn them on and turn it up!!

Stay Tuned for GIG 2026

We will start planning for GIG 2026 soon. Stay tuned to this newsletter, where we will share updates. We’ll also get back to sharing visual artist news and updates with you each month.

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.