Fenton Artist Starts Company to Help Children, Teens

The is Saturday!

On July 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., merchants and artists will participate in the second-year event, and officials are hoping hundreds of residents will join the fun in downtown Fenton.

Visitors will be able to come to a booth in downtown Fenton (just outside ) and receive a map, which will include instructions along with artist and merchant information. People then can visit participating businesses to observe the art, meet the artists and explore what each store has to offer.

To get you ready for the event, we will feature several artists in our Faces of the Fenton Art Walk series in the days leading up to the extravaganza.

Name: Kim Bonner

Residence: Fenton

Type of art: mixed media

How did you get started as an artist?: I've always enjoyed art. I took as many art classes as I could when I was in school, and studied graphic design at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. I enjoyed design, but after six or seven years of designing what made other people happy I decided to try to create things that made me happy instead. The last few years have been a journey of finding my artistic voice and using it to bring beauty and joy to the world around me.

Describe your art: I hope that my work:

1. Speaks truth: that every person is valuable and worthy of love.

2. Inspires. I want people to be encouraged to follow their dreams and make their own adventures.

3. Makes Change. I hope that through the sales of my work I can support causes that I believe in, and I hope that people feel that they are a part of something bigger when they purchase something from me. I also hope that my art touches places in people's hearts that makes them decide to go make some change of their own.

What is your next project?: I recently started a card company called fifty/50. The name comes from the fact that we donate 50% of the profits to organizations that help children and teens. I am always looking for ways to use the arts to help make a difference, so it seemed like the perfect solution. In the next month or so I hope to introduce a number of new designs and stationery items to the line. You can find more info at http://fifty50.kimbonner.com

Where can your art be found?: For Art Walk, I will be at A Joyful Noise. During the month of July, my work will be shown at The Edge Gallery in Fenton. And you can always check out my work at www.kimbonner.com.