Editor’s Note: The Stratton Setlist is a sponsor of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music.

Eight years ago, Chuck Marshall attended ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and left with a new idea.

The Life in Michigan blogger/co-publisher and Fans With Bands podcaster wanted to curate an art exhibit called GIG – The Art of Michigan Music, which focuses on the visual aspects of music.

“I’d met some great photographers and graphic artists in the local Michigan music scene and wanted to call attention to their work,” said Marshall, who’s from Ann Arbor and is a concert photographer.

“The Ann Arbor Art Center at the time accepted applications for people to curate an exhibit. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I contacted them and they were very helpful and receptive.”

Then Marshall contacted several artists and asked them to join the inaugural GIG – The Art of Michigan Music art show. It spotlighted artists who specialize in concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork.

“That first show went over really well,” he said. “Over time, folks have asked if I’d do it again, and with work and other projects, I didn’t have time. Last year, my friends at Manchester Underground Music and Art—Steve Girbach and John Mooneyham—said, ‘Hey, you should do GIG again and we will help.’ So I said, ‘OK, let’s do it!’”

The trio quickly expanded GIG – The Art of Michigan Music into more than an art show and assembled a team of local musicians and music supporters to plan the event.

What resulted is a three-day conference packed with art exhibits, educational sessions, a mixer with Jennifer Westwood, live music, and a music market with local vendors.

“It was the rebirth of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music—bigger, better, stronger!” Marshall said. “It is The Six Million Dollar Man of art and music events if you will.”

Now, Marshall will realize his vision for GIG – The Art of Michigan Music November 8-10 at ART 634 in Jackson, Michigan.

I spoke with Marshall about GIG – The Art of Michigan Music ahead of next weekend’s event.

Q: How has your fall been so far? What’s been inspiring you lately?

A: My fall has been fantastic. In addition to putting together GIG – The Art of Michigan Music with a fantastic team of fellow music and art lovers, my wife Brenda and I visited Germany with some friends. The landscape reminded me of Michigan. We experienced Oktoberfest, which was a ton of fun and again reminded me of Michigan and its wonderful beers.

Q: How are things coming together for GIG – The Art of Michigan Music? What work still needs to be done to prepare for the event next weekend?

A: Things are pretty much ready to roll with GIG. We are now just waiting to get it set up. We plan to receive the artwork from our 22 artists starting Monday, November 4, and then get the art exhibit set up. Later in the week, we’ll work on stage setup and sound. Then it is time to open the doors and celebrate the outstanding visual artists who make Michigan music shine.

Q: You’ve partnered with several sponsors for GIG, including Life in Michigan, Manchester Underground Music and Art, ART 634, Guitar Hi-Fi, Rocket Printing, and others. How did they come together to help you realize your vision for GIG?

A: I have to thank our sponsors so much for taking a chance on us. They all believe that GIG –The Art of Michigan Music is a special and unique event that celebrates the visual artists in Michigan who are part of our rich music community.

I reached out to each of them individually and shared what I hoped to achieve with GIG. Their support helps us make the event possible. Some of our sponsors, such as Manchester Underground Music and Art and The Stratton Setlist, have gone above and beyond by helping us plan and execute the event. I can’t thank them enough for their support.

Q: As a three-day event, GIG offers a roster of activities, including art exhibits, live music, information sessions, a mixer, and a music market. What do you hope attendees take away from the weekend-long experience? How will it be beneficial for visual artists, musicians, and other members of the Michigan music community?

A: What I hope everyone comes away from GIG with is an appreciation of the visual artists involved in our music community. I hope that everyone sees how incredible our music community is. I also hope that GIG provides a way for visual artists and musicians to connect and create avenues for collaboration.

For all of the music fans, I hope they enjoy a fun and uplifting celebration of art and music that provides lasting memories. Finally, I’d love to see current and future artists inspired by the event to create even more art and share it with the world.

Q: You’re spotlighting 22 visual artists and their work at GIG. What’s most compelling about this group of visual artists and the creative work they’ve captured through concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork?

A: What is most compelling is the passion these artists have for the music community. Many of them make their living using their talents in either corporate or business settings that may not focus on music. However, they have a deep love for music and the visual aspects of music—you know, the posters, the T-shirts, the album covers, the concert photos. I think their work will captivate and inspire everyone who sees it.

Q: GIG also features eight Michigan music acts over two nights. How will those acts help bring memorable live performances to GIG?

A: I think having live music adds a unique feature by turning GIG into more than an art show—it is a celebration. The music combined with the art show provides a total experience. Michigan has some amazing musical talent, and we want to share that with people along with the fantastic visual art.

Q: GIG’s Saturday Sessions focus on booking, artist funding basics, starting an LLC, social media and branding strategies, and live podcast recording. How do you hope these information sessions help musicians walk away with some valuable ideas and tips?

A: Each visual artist and musician is really a small business owner. The workshops offer a way for them to improve their businesses. Ideally, participants learn something that helps their creative endeavors and expands their network of opportunities for new work/projects. I’m also hoping that the sessions will provide insights for those who are considering getting into the music industry.

Q: The Sunday Music Market features some of the visual artists and their art, but also includes vendors that specialize in instruments, music accessories, brewing, printing, records, and more. How does the market serve as an engaging way to close out GIG for the weekend?

A: Honestly, I think it is a great way to do your holiday shopping. The Sunday Music Market is yet another opportunity to see what Michigan’s music community has to offer. It is another opportunity to be inspired and shop locally. I think it will be a fun and laid-back way to cap off a fantastic weekend of art and music.

Q: What’s up next for you after GIG? How do you see GIG evolving in the future?

A: We’ve created a nonprofit called GIG – The Art of Michigan Music Foundation with a mission to showcase visual artists involved in our music community. We hope that our first event is a success and provides awareness of the awesome creative talent in our state.

My dream is to keep this going year after year. And that we add videographers to the mix and show off their work. In a perfect world, we will raise enough money to provide our visual artists with stipends to help them create their art and show it at GIG.

In my dream, I hope GIG lives on to inspire young artists who want to create album covers and T-shirt designs or become photographers who cover music. I think sometimes we overlook the visual artists in our music community, and I hope that going forward GIG is the hub where everyone can learn about these artists and see their art.

GIG – The Art of Michigan Music runs November 8-10 at ART 634, which is located at 634 Mechanic St. in Jackson, Michigan. Tickets are $45 for a weekend pass and $25 for a single-day pass.