What is it?
Deer in Lapeer is a collaboration of merchants, artists, and others in the community, in a venture designed to celebrate Lapeer and help in the revitalization of the downtown area.
Like the well known “Cows On Parade” exhibit in Chicago, we are planning on decorating life size models of animals. But instead of cows, we will be using models of Whitetail deer. This slightly tongue-in-cheek choice was made because of the strong tradition of hunting in Lapeer and the prevalence of the deer in this area.
The deer will be displayed throughout the business section of downtown Lapeer.
Why?
We believe strongly in the value of having a vital downtown area and wanted to create an event to draw people from a wider vicinity to downtown Lapeer.
As artists, we also wanted to increase community awareness and commitment to the arts as well as bring attention to the diversity of the arts present in Lapeer. We are hoping to both bring people and business to the downtown stores and unite the varied artistic talents of Lapeer.
How?
We are applying for a grant to help fund this project. We are asking the downtown merchants to contribute a one time fee of $100 to sponsor a deer and have the participating artists turn it into a work of art, to be displayed in front of your store. We are planning activities and events aimed at drawing people downtown to view the deer art.
When?
The deer will be displayed downtown Oct. 11- Nov. 22. Additional events are taking place on Oct. 11 and throughout the Deer in Lapeer event.