421 Columbus Ave.

Grand Haven, MI 49417

616.842.2550

Office Number

Close up image of paintings on canvases at Encounter the Events

Encounter the
Arts

Central Park Place is home to Encounter the Arts, a free annual event that began in 2022 to celebrate Grand Haven’s vibrant arts community through family-friendly workshops and performances. At the event, local artists lead various classes and demonstrations for people of all ages. Encounter the Arts is an open house-style event, so everyone in the community can come and go as they please!

in 2023, Central Park Place partnered with Loutit Library to bring the Manhattan Short Film Festival to Encounter the Arts as a special event finale starting with a cocktail hour reception at 5 PM and the film festival at 6 PM! 

Sign up for our enewsletter to be the first to know when 2024 Encounter the Arts details are available.

encounter the arts thank you graphic

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year’s Encounter the Arts. We had an incredible turnout and are already looking forward to planning next years event. Our team is beyond grateful for the support of our arts community and thankful for their donation of time and talent to make Encounter the Arts possible. Cheers to ETA 2024!

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm

  • Theatre Tour with Central Park Players – Acacia Theatre
  • Vocals for Performance with Carlos Seise – Woodbine Room
  • Dance Performances with Tracy O’Neal McQueen & Steph Rau – Ballroom 
  • Community Art Project Mural

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm

  • Shakespeare Performance with Pigeon Creek Theatre -Acacia Theatre
  • Cardio Drumming with Deb Spinner – Woodbine Room 
  • Television Production for Sports and Theatre with Dennis Threadgill & Floyd Fonte – Ballroom 
  • Community Art Project Mural

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

  • Vocals for Performance with Carlos Seise – Woodbine Room
  • Stage Combat with Chris Farrar – Ballroom
  • Community Art Project Mural  

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

  • Theatre Tour with Central Park Players – Acacia Theatre
  • GHHS Cast and Crew of Mary Poppins with Rita Mclary – Ballroom
  • Improv Experience with Justin Sternbergh – Woodbine Room
  • Community Art Project Mural

Kids Art Zone: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

A special thank you to the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Authority (NORA) as the Kids Art Zone Coordinator! Kids activities will take place in the Escanaba Room. 

  • Rock Painting
  • Face Painting
  • Balloon Animals 
  • Kids Maker Space
  • Ray Truillo and the Lakeshore Taekwondo Academy 

Atrium Gallery Features: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

We recently added new features that will be hosted in our Atrium Gallery. These include: 

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Cocktail Reception

A cocktail reception, hosted by Central Park Players, will be held in our Atrium Gallery before short film screenings and will feature live music by Roger Gonda. 

6:00 pm: Manhattan Short Film Festival

Proudly presented in partnership with Loutit District Library. Discover your inner film critic by casting your vote for Best Film and Best Actor in the 26th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. You’ll join film lovers in over 500 venues across the globe gathering to see the Ten Finalist in this year’s event. Learn more

Screenings will take place in the Acacia Theatre and will last for 2.5 hours including a brief intermission. Free popcorn will be available for all attendees as well! 

Thank you to our sponsors who made Encounter the Arts 2023 a success. We appreciate you! 

Previous slide
Next slide
Previous slide
Next slide

Grand Haven City Beach

Grand Haven City Beach is a sandy, swimming beach on the shores of Lake Michigan nestled between Noto’s at the Bil-Mar Restaurant and Grand Haven State Park. With views of the Grand Haven South Pierhead Outer Lighthouse, City Beach is a beautiful outdoor venue to host your ceremony.

Previous slide
Next slide

Indoor

The Mackinaw Ballroom offers a blank palette for creating the wedding of your dreams. The enclosed outdoor patio provides a wonderful and food truck-friendly gathering space with spectacular views of the park and fountain.

Previous slide
Next slide

Central Park

Located across the street from Central Park Place, Central Park features beautiful greenery, flowers, and a large fountain to create the perfect backdrop for any ceremony.  

Previous slide
Next slide

Grand Haven City Beach

Grand Haven City Beach is a sandy, swimming beach on the shores of Lake Michigan nestled between Noto’s at the Bil-Mar Restaurant and Grand Haven State Park. With views of the Grand Haven South Pierhead Outer Lighthouse, City Beach is a beautiful outdoor venue to host your ceremony.