CALLING ALL CREATIVES—

The Street Art Encounter is taking over the streets with bold color and live creativity!

Friday, September 12, 2025

12 PM – 8 PM | Free to the public

Join us on Friday, September 12, 2025, as downtown Ann Arbor is transformed into a vibrant, open-air gallery during the Street Art Encounter. From noon until sundown, watch as sidewalks and street spaces come alive with live street art, interactive installations, and creative expression from talented local and regional artists.

This family-friendly event invites the public to experience art in motion—no gallery walls, no velvet ropes—just raw creativity happening right before your eyes. You’ll see artists creating murals, chalk masterpieces, and experimental works directly on the streets, engaging with the community and turning the city into a canvas.

Whether you’re an art lover, a casual stroller, or just looking for something fun and free to do downtown, the Street Art Encounter offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with the creative spirit of Ann Arbor.

About the event

Step into a world where creativity meets community. The Street Art Encounter is a celebration of bold expression, interactive experiences, and the vibrant spirit of Downtown Ann Arbor. For this first time ever hosted in Downtown Ann Arbor, this event brings together local and regional artists to transform our streets into a dynamic outdoor gallery.

Experience Live Art in Action

The Street Art Encounter invites the public to experience art coming to life in real time. This one-day pop-up celebration of creativity, self-expression, and community connection transforms downtown streets into an open-air gallery. With live mural painting and interactive installations, the event offers a one-of-a-kind experience designed to inspire and engage audiences of all ages.

Don’t miss this immersive celebration of color, creativity, and community—we look forward to seeing you at the Street Art Encounter!

Get ready for a bold, interactive street art experience in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor!

This year, we’re proud to partner with John Vasquez, a nationally recognized muralist and public artist from Saginaw, Michigan. Vasquez was recently featured in the Shine Bright Saginaw Mural Project, a transformative art initiative that reimagined downtown Saginaw through vibrant, large-scale works. He’ll serve as the lead artist for this year’s Encounter, bringing his dynamic vision and passion for public art to Ann Arbor.

Check out our full lineup of featured artists below!

MEET THE ARTISTS

GOLD SPONSORS

  • Renovation by Masters

  • A2 Zero City of Ann Arbor

  • Ann Arbor District Library

  • Floor & Decor

  • DFCU Financial

SILVER SPONSORS

  • Alzheimer's Association

  • HopCat Ann Arbor

  • CAHOOTS Cafe

  • Destination Ann Arbor

  • City of Ann Arbor

  • Huntington Bank

  • Raymond James

BRONZE SPONSORS

  • Venue by 4m

  • Grizzly Peak Brewing

  • CLONLARA School

  • Warby Parker

  • Main Street Ventures

COMMUNITY & IN-KIND PARTNERS

  • Schafer Painting

  • CupsNChai

  • Conor O'Neill's

  • Miss Kim

Interested in Sponsoring?

Reach new customers, strengthen existing relationships, and support local economic development by sponsoring the Street Art Encounter!

Taking place on Friday, September 12, 2025, this is a highly anticipated event sure to bring thousands of visitors to downtown Ann Arbor.

Sponsorship provides high-visibility branding opportunities, direct engagement with potential customers, and a chance to be part of a new downtown Ann Arbor tradition.

Reach out to us today for more information!

Want to donate instead?

We appreciate any amount you can give—every dollar makes a difference! 100% of your donation goes directly to funding the artists and covering event operations, helping us bring creativity and community to life.

3% Cover the Fee