National and local artists will use Battle Creek as their canvases when Color the Creek art festival begins Monday.

Started in 2016 by Justin Andert as a way to beautify vacant or deteriorating buildings and bring more arts and entertainment to the city, the five-day community street art festival will feature up to 10 large-scale murals and 10 mini murals painted throughout the city, along with a youth day, local vendors and a block party.  

“Art is an important part of every thriving city,” Andert said in a release. “It creates a sense of unity among the community, beautifies our neighborhoods and opens to the door to important conversations about representation and inclusivity. We’re excited to bring Color the Creek back to the Battle Creek community and uplift local artists while creating opportunities for the youth to explore art.”

The 2022 Color the Creek festival includes:

• An artist dinner at Handmap Brewing, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

• An opening party at Torti Taco Bar and Grill, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday.

• A “Youth Day” at Mill Race Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation mural banner unveiling, 11:25 a.m. Wednesday.

• A downtown “Art Hop” at Festival Market Square, BC Cargo, Handmap Brewing and Michigan Avenue, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19.