French Voyageur Historian, Large Inflatable Art Structure Featured at 2005 Culturama
By Ryan Schlehuber

Culturama will include two unique features during the three-day culture and arts event, to be held Thursday, September 8, to Saturday, September 10.

One of the largest collaborative art projects in Michigan will be on display at Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace during 2005 Culturama. Large, inflatable air structures, decorated with depictions of features of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, were created by more than 1,000 residents of the Upper Peninsula. The effort is part of a Oneness of Humankind: Unity Through Diversity art initiative, coordinated by Darryl Brown, a historian of Fort de Buade in St. Ignace and Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

Another Culturama highlighted the archaeological and genealogical research of Tim Kent, of Ossineke, south of Alpena. He dressed as a French fur trader of the late 1600s and early 1700s and recounted his 3,000-mile paddling adventure to retrace the mainline fur trade canoe route across the U.S. and Canada at a lecture given Thursday, September 8, at Little Bear East.

Culturama also features the work of traditional artists and artisans, musicians, authors, culinary artists, and historical and cultural re-enactors and storytellers. Hands-on participation is encouraged throughout the show, providing a chance for those who visit the show to better appreciate the patience needed to stitch a quilt or spin yarn from raw wool.

This year’s theme is “French Connection.”

Participants can enjoy a guild St. Ignace history walk from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, September 9. Admission is free.

The culmination of the weekend will be the gathering of music, artists, hands-on activities, and ethnic foods Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free of charge.

Saturday’s event will feature artists and workshops such as woodworking, musicians, spinning, drum making, Native American crafts, nautical knot skills, water colors, quilting, and scissor cutting. Visitors will have an opportunity to participate in some of the workshops.

For more information, call the Mackinac County Michigan State University Extension office at 643-7307.

The event is supported with a $7,300 grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.