In support of Jennifer Joseph’s letter in the October 1 issue of The St. Ignace News, I wish to remind the City of St. Ignace of the long history of Arts Dockside.

In 1975 the Mackinac Arts Council was approached by a small group of artisans that had exhibited on several card tables the previous year or two at Marquette Park. They asked if we would help plan a bigger affair at a larger venue. As an agreed upon project, we undertook to do so. With our contacts among other arts groups and U.P. performers we were able, with the help of Fred Stearns of St. Ignace schools and a small grant from the City Council to cover start-up expenses, to plan and coordinate the first Arts Dockside.

Year by year, with the excellent assistance of Shelly Cope Fitzpatrick and Diane Goudreau Frasier, it burgeoned and became an important part of Bridge Walk weekend, bringing in both exhibitors and buyers to bolster our economy.

As I know personally, it is an enormous amount of work, possible because of almost all unpaid, unsung volunteers, with minimal stipends to performers for travel expenses.

Please do not denigrate or reduce their impact either economically or artistically in favor of a few boaters who may possibly be accommodated elsewhere for a day or two.
Rosemarie Bentgen
Past President, Mackinac Arts Council
St. Ignace