'Local supporting local': Hundreds attend downtown Monroe's Art in April

The Downtown Monroe Business Network members teamed up Thursday to support and showcase local artists. Several downtown locations participated in the annual Art in April event.

“We love our downtown businesses and recognize the importance of art and local artists from our community,” Paula Stanifer, event coordinator for the DMBN, said. “This event showcases our member businesses and our desire to promote local Monroe artists.”

Art in April is a self-guided tour throughout the DMBN member businesses. Each business hosted a different artist, and many of the artists were present at the locations to meet with visitors and discuss their pieces.

Over 23 artists were featured, and they showcased a variety of different mediums and finished pieces.

Molly Hedglen was set up at Brown Bag Boutique on South Monroe Sreet. Hedglen has actively pursued art since she was 3 years old. At a young age she underwent surgery, and her mother introduced her to art during her recovery period. She has not stopped creating since.

“Art is the outward expression of the soul,” Hedglen said. “On a personal level, the ability to create puts me in line with our creator. It’s about freedom and how to process the world both around and inside of you.”

Dave and Sue Grassley, co-owners of Floral City Images & Photography, hosted Michele DuBay-Cassidy in their shop. DuBay-Cassidy creates jewelry and bottle lights from Lake Erie beach glass that she either collects herself or receives from her friends and family. The Grassleys enjoy Art in April because it’s a chance to highlight the hidden gems of Monroe.

“It gives visitors the time to go into a business they might not know about,” Dave Grassley said. “Monroe isn’t really a drive-thru town. It has a lot to offer.”

At The Conservatory, Karen McLaughlin showcased a variety of watercolor scenes. Many of her paintings are easily identified as local Monroe County landmarks: churches, businesses and historic buildings. Other images are nature and beach scenes.

McLaughlin has primarily worked in watercolors for the past 20 years. When she first started painting, her mediums were mostly oil and acrylic. She chose to pursue watercolors to challenge herself and her creativity.

“It’s a medium that has a mind of its own. It loosens up and allows for a lot of freedom,” McLaughlin said.

Art in April started in 2018 and brings in a stream of a couple hundred visitors and art enthusiasts to the community. The sidewalks were filled with people traveling from one business to the next. Many of the artists were present and excited to talk with the visitors as they stopped at the different locations.

“This event showcases our DMBN member businesses and local artists,” Stanifer said. “Local supporting local.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Hundreds attend downtown Monroe's Art in April