Jordan Beck | Daily Press People in attendance for the official unveiling of downtown Manistique’s second mural created through the “Power of Words Project” take a look at the new mural Monday. The mural, which has been painted on what will be the mBank Community Arts & Cultural Center, is themed around the word “imagine.”

MANISTIQUE — Downtown Manistique’s second mural created through the “Power of Words Project” was officially unveiled Monday. The mural, which has been painted on what will be the mBank Community Arts & Cultural Center, is themed around the word “imagine.”

The Power of Words Project was started in 2012 by artist and former Iron Mountain resident Mia Tavonatti. Last year, a mural themed around the word “discover” was painted on the Peoples Department Store building in Manistique as part of the project.

The theme of the “imagine” mural was announced in June, Tavonatti said. Work on the mural began on July 1 and officially wrapped up with Monday’s event.

The “discover” and “imagine” murals are located across the street from each other, and are visible as people drive into Manistique.

“When I saw these walls, I always wanted to do a ‘gateway,'” Tavonatti said.

Both the “discover” and “imagine” murals were sponsored locally by Lake Effect Community Arts and Schoolcraft Tourism and Commerce. A significant amount of funding for the Power of Words Project has been provided through CUPPAD’s Artplace grant; additionally, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently matched $20,000 raised through a Patronicity fundraiser in support of three Power of Words Project murals.

Several people involved with the new mural shared remarks during Monday’s event. mBank Senior Vice President of Administration Sherry Arnold discussed the bank’s ties to the building the “imagine” mural has been painted on.

Earlier in 2019, mBank announced its plans to acquire this building and donate it to Lake Effect Community Arts free of charge.

“Part of mBank’s mission and vision is to give back to the communities that we serve, and we could not think of a better way to give back to our community in particular (than) buying this building and giving it to the Lake Effects arts center so the local artists and artists from around the surrounding areas can have a place to call home,” she said.

President of Lake Effect Community Arts Teresa Bratton voiced her appreciation for both the mural and the building.

“We’re very excited to finally have a home,” she said.

Bratton said she believes mBank will be able to close on the building in August. She also noted Lake Effect Community Arts is planning an art auction fundraiser next month to support the renovation of its new building.

Tavonatti spoke about the process of creating new murals for the Power of Words Project. She said she begins this process by partnering with community organizations and asking local residents to nominate and vote on words

representing their community’s future.

Once voting has concluded, Tavonatti designs a mural based on the chosen word and works with visiting and local artists to make it a reality.

“My inspiration was just really built around the idea of ‘let your imagination take flight,'” she said of her latest mural.

The “imagine” mural features swans, owls and monarch butterflies, along with other wing-related imagery.

During her remarks, Tavonatti introduced the visiting and local artists who worked on Manistique’s newest mural. One of the local artists involved with the “imagine” mural was Michelle Earle, who said she enjoyed being a part of the project.

“It was wonderful — Mia is an excellent team leader,” Earle said.

Bratton said people in the community have been enthusiastic about the new mural.

“It really has been very well-received,” she said.

One person who felt this way about the “imagine” mural was Manistique resident Amy Stoll.

“I think it’s beautiful. They did an awesome job — very inspiring,” she said.

Darlene Gilroy, a Manistique resident whose son Ryan worked on the new mural, was also glad to see it in its finished form.

“We only can ‘imagine’ what great things are going to come to Manistique,” she said.

Though funding for the Power of Words Project will be depleted by the end of the summer, Tavonatti is planning to create another mural in Manistique. That mural, which will be smaller and simpler than her other murals in the community, will be located in an alleyway near Manistique’s St. Vincent de Paul store.

Power of Words Project-related efforts in the area will continue Wednesday with an announcement of the word that will inspire a new mural in Gladstone during Business After Hours.

For more information on the Power of Words Project, visit powerofwordsproject.org. To learn more about Lake Effect Community Arts, visit lakeeffectarts.org.