Partner Partner Content Thumb Art Spark igniting creativity throughout Michigan’s Thumb

This story was originally published by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Public art plays an important role in shaping how people experience their communities. It marks gathering places, sparks conversation, and reflects the identity of the people who live there. Across St. Clair County, murals, sculptures, and riverfront installations have become part of everyday life, enhancing public spaces and creating shared points of pride.

This commitment to creative placemaking continues with a new public art installation planned for the Blue Water River Walk in Spring 2026. Supported by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the project builds on years of local investment in public art and connects to the launch of Thumb Art Spark, a new regional initiative designed to expand public art opportunities throughout Michigan’s Thumb and culminate in a region-wide public art celebration in 2027.

“By sharing examples of large-scale public art from communities across the country, we hope to expand what feels possible here in our own region,” said Randy Maiers, President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. “These projects show how art can transform public spaces, tell community stories, and spark new ideas—encouraging us to imagine bold, meaningful works that reflect who we are and where we’re going.

For years, the Community Foundation has supported public art projects across St. Clair County, recognizing that creative installations strengthen community identity and bring people together. From murals and free-standing sculptures to riverfront installations, these projects have helped transform shared spaces into places of connection.

Marine City has used public art to energize its downtown and walkable areas, while Capac has activated shared spaces through creative installations. In Port Huron, murals and sculptures contribute to the city’s cultural landscape, and along the Blue Water River Walk, art complements the river’s natural setting. In St. Clair, public art enhances gathering spaces while reflecting local history.

Building on this local momentum, the six-community foundation’s that serve Michigan’s Thumb Region are collaborating to launch “Thumb Art Spark.”  This new initiative begins with an online hub connecting artists, site hosts, and funders across the Thumb region. Designed to make public art easier to imagine, fund, and install, the platform at ThumbArtSpark.com helps communities share project ideas, identify potential art sites, connect with experienced artists, and explore sponsorship and funding pathways. The initiative will support public art of all types, including murals and sculptures, while allowing each community to participate at a scale that fits its capacity.

Thumb Art Spark provides a framework for regional collaboration while keeping projects grounded in local leadership. Each participating community maintains its own vision. Jody Parmann, a Port Huron-based artist and Chair of the Blue Water Arts Council at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, leads the creative direction and coordination of Thumb Art Spark and serves as the primary point of contact for the initiative.

Launching a public art project requires planning, partnerships, and financial support. Funding is often the biggest hurdle. Some projects may be eligible for grant support through a local community foundation, though funding is not guaranteed. Communities are encouraged to explore multiple funding options—including sponsorships, local fundraising, and donor support—when planning public art projects. Communities interested in public art are encouraged to start locally by connecting with their community foundation. To find your local community foundation, visit the Council on Foundations (COF). Residents and organizations interested in learning more about public art or participating in Thumb Art Spark are encouraged to connect directly with Jody Parmann to ask questions, explore opportunities, and discuss potential next steps.

Public art depends on community investment. Donor support helps bring creative projects to life and strengthen public spaces across the region. To learn more about Thumb Art Spark or how to get involved, reach out to Jody Parmann at jp@jodyparmann.art or info@thumbartspark.com.