GIG Conference Take 2: Showcasing music’s visual side and rocking Jackson, too

The second annual ‘GIG: The Art of Michigan Music’ conference is Saturday with displays by 24 visual artists and concert photographers, as well as sets by three Michigan rock bands. The deets at Local Spins.

 

As chief conference organizer Chuck Marshall puts it: “Anyone who loves Michigan music should attend GIG.”

And that includes “those working hard and making great music in our state. The visual arts are a key component to any band or musician’s brand and identity. By attending GIG, you can meet these talented artists and show your support for their work.”

The second annual “GIG: The Art of Michigan Music” event rolls out Saturday (Nov. 8) at Art 634 in Jackson as a one-day smorgasbord of displays by 24 poster artists, graphic designers, photographers and videographers, workshops covering networking, social media, photography and graphic arts, and evening sets by Michigan rock bands Paper Lanterns, Mazinga and Carbon Decoy.

The conference that runs from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday will also feature a “Music Market” with vendors selling concert photos, posters, vinyl, CDs, T-shirts and more, with food trucks also on hand.

The goal, Marshall said, is “to showcase the visual artists involved in the Michigan music community. Part of many musical experiences is the visual aspect. Particularly with vinyl making a resurgence, the visuals are as important as ever. The posters, album covers, T-shirt designs and music photography add to the overall music experience.”

After last year’s three-day affair, organizers decided things were “a little spread out” so they condensed the conference into a one-day event “to hopefully maximize attendance and reduce costs,” Marshall said. “Our hope for this year is solid attendance, and ideally, plenty of exposure and sales for our visual artists.”

Photographers and graphic artists featured this year include Local Spins mainstay Derek Ketchum of Kalamazoo as well as Jacob Rosenburg, Cidney Bundon, Jena Hovey, Bryan Durco, Doug Coombe, Craig Horky, Jonathan Doyle, Dennis Preston, Sami Lipp-Mosier, Jon Rosenberger, Trippin Terry, Peter Larson, Nathan Purchase (a contributor to Local Spins), Michelle Thibodeau, Matthew Jacobson, Logan Belz, Jen Prouty, Isabell Dowell, Carl Lundgren, Brian Sheehan and Brandon Nagy.

Students from Jackson College will also be on hand to showcase their posters and album covers.

The exhibition of artwork and photos “will be a feast for the eyes and mind,” Marshall insisted.

Ketchum, Hovey and Coombe will also comprise the panel for a 4 p.m. workshop featuring a discussion with these “visual storytellers.” Prouty, meanwhile, will lead a 1 p.m. workshop on “Building Your Networking Skills,” Dave Cicotte will host a 2 p.m. discussion on “Social Media & Advertising,” and Horky, Rosenburg and Preston will serve on a 3 p.m. panel on graphic artistry.

Live music performances will kick off at 7 p.m. with Jackson’s Paper Lanterns, followed by Ann Arbor’s Mazinga and, finally, Detroit’s Carbon Decoy.

“The live music acts are all bands that I personally admire and bring a lot of energy to their live performances. I felt that each of these bands exude authenticity,” Marshall said. “They are making music they love which resonates with me as I’m all about honest music that lifts you up and gets you moving.”

Marshall noted that GIG also offers attendees “a fabulous opportunity to meet others involved in the music scene whether they be visual artists, other musicians, or music enthusiasts. GIG is simply a great way to enjoy a Saturday with good people who love Michigan music and the community we have in this state.”

Viewing the art displays and attending the workshops is free, with a suggested $15 donation to enjoy the evening concerts. GIG accepts donations and suggested concert fees online here.

Get more details and the full schedule online at gigartmich.org.

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