If there is one thing Grand Rapids takes absolute pride in, it’s their art. You don’t have to walk very far downtown to spot a mural or gallery showcasing local artists. It’s honestly one of my favorite things about Grand Rapids because it shows how much community and support we have for real art. With AI becoming so prominent in our world, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness to the artists that put their blood, sweat and tears into this city that make it so beautiful to be in today. One of these artists is Michi Farias, a GR artist who recently created a mural titled “Entertainment Alleyway” that is painted at Studio Park on 99 Cherry Street.

I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Michi at her family’s coffee shop, PaLatte Coffee & Art, which is located on 150 Fulton St E in Downtown Grand Rapids. As we sat down in comfy brown chairs, surrounded by paintings created by her, as well as many other GR artists, espresso wafting through the air, I realized this was a dream destination. To be able to sit inside an art gallery all morning and afternoon listening to soft indie music and drinking coffee with almost every flavor combination under the sun, it’s a place you can’t pass up.

So, what does the mural represent? To its core, the mural displays the history of entertainment within Grand Rapids. Fifteen portraits are showcased that range from performers to people who helped build up the entertainment industry in GR. Michi talked about how there are even Easter eggs of GR history within the mural, like the first ever lamppost that was installed. The mural stands tall in vibrant colors with the portraits being both full length figures and some headshots in black and white. Farias explained how she sketched the entire mural first by hand in order to show the authenticity of her artistry. No AI was used to get the design, it was all from her own mind that led to this 6,000 square foot beast. 

Yes, that is correct, the mural is not a small wall you can glance at as you walk by. The wall isn’t even completely flat, it acts as a zig zag so when you see one part of the wall, you’ve only scratched the surface. Farias joked that when you’re on Cherry St and you see the big painted eye, keep going. That’s only the beginning.  

When it came to putting the mural together, Michi explained how it started from a grant application. While she didn’t receive it, she was rolled into another grant opportunity that she did earn, and so the paint was bought and the process began. She was given six weeks to paint, which may seem like a lot of time, but with the space given, Farias stated that it was hours of work every day for her. Along with that, She and her mural partner, Rhiannan Sibbald, endured equipment breaking in the first week, weather conditions that were less than helpful, and the toll the painting took on their bodies were so excessive that Farias said she is still recovering today since the mural finished in September. 

However, despite it all, she said that she loved every minute of it. Even in the middle of painting with sore arms and rain falling, she couldn’t have felt more at peace. My heart went out to her, because when you find that hobby or passion that puts you at complete ease, you also end up figuring out who you are. For Farias, she is an artist through and through and I’m so happy to have spoken with her on this exciting venture.

For now, Farias is relaxing and will begin bigger projects in the future, but make sure to check out her work through her Instagram at @michifariasart and her website www.michifarias.com to keep in touch and see what she creates next. Also make sure to check out “Entertainment Alleyway” at Studio Park on 99 Cherry Street in Downtown Grand Rapids, as well as PaLatte for a warm cup of coffee and art that makes you feel inspired.