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Carmel officials unveil interactive Public Art StoryMap

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 21:55 GMT by WISH-TV
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Carmel’s downtown skyline is about to get a new layer of color and history. At a spirited unveiling ceremony on Thursday, the City of Carmel’s officials announced an interactive public‑art story map that promises to turn every walk through the town into a guided tour of local creativity. The map, launched from the city’s “Public Art” webpage, is powered by ArcGIS StoryMaps and lets residents, tourists, and students explore over 30 permanent and temporary art installations scattered across town’s streets, parks, and civic spaces.

A Digital Canvas for a Living Community

The story map is more than a static gallery. Each art piece is linked to a full‑screen image, a short video clip of the artist at work, and a narrative that explains the artwork’s concept, materials, and the artist’s inspiration. In addition, users can click on a “Story” tab to hear interviews with the creators, read news excerpts about the projects, and view a timeline of when the installations were added to Carmel’s public spaces. The map’s interface is simple: a sidebar lists the pieces alphabetically and by neighborhood, while the map’s zoom‑and‑pan controls allow you to explore the streetscape in detail.

“We wanted to give our community a tool that not only showcases the beauty of our public art but also tells the story behind each piece,” said Mayor Susan Miller at the launch. “It’s a living document that will evolve as more artists bring their visions to the streets of Carmel.”

Behind the Scenes: Artists, Funding, and Partnerships

The map’s development was a joint effort between Carmel’s Office of Arts & Culture and the local nonprofit, Art in the City. The nonprofit, led by Executive Director Maria Santos, coordinated the initial art survey and secured grant funding from the Michigan State Arts Council. Santos highlighted the community‑based approach that shaped the project: “We held listening sessions in every neighborhood, and the input we received shaped both the content of the map and the future art commissions we plan to support.”

City officials noted that the map’s data layers will be updated every six months to reflect new installations and artist collaborations. In addition to the public‑art map, a “Community Projects” layer is slated for release later in the year, featuring upcoming murals, sculpture projects, and community‑painted streets.

A Tour for Everyone

The story map is designed to appeal to a broad audience. For school groups, the map includes a “Classroom Guide” that provides lesson plans aligned with state arts standards, complete with printable worksheets that allow students to research the history of public art in Michigan. The map is also optimized for mobile devices, making it a convenient companion for guided tours or casual walks.

Local business owner Jason Lee, who owns the downtown café Café Carmine, praised the initiative. “Having the map put our town on the map—literally and figuratively—will bring more foot traffic to local shops. I’m excited to see new art pieces coming in, and I think people will come back to our cafés to discuss them.”

Future Expansion and Community Input

Mayor Miller emphasized that the story map is just the first step. “We plan to host quarterly ‘Art Walk’ events where residents can meet the artists and provide feedback directly through the map’s comment feature,” she said. “We also hope to incorporate user‑generated content, such as photos and stories from residents who have been inspired by these pieces.”

The city’s Office of Arts & Culture will hold a series of public forums in August to discuss upcoming art commissions, and the results of those discussions will be reflected in the map’s next update. “Public art is a conversation,” said Chief Curator Daniel Kline. “This map gives people a platform to share that conversation, and it will help us keep our community engaged and vibrant.”

How to Get Started

To explore the story map, residents can visit Carmel’s official public‑art webpage, where the interactive map is embedded. The page also includes a PDF guide titled “How to Use the Carmel Public‑Art Story Map,” which walks users through each feature and provides troubleshooting tips. For those who prefer a physical experience, the city will release a printed “Carmel Art Trail” brochure that mirrors the digital map’s content and can be found at the City Hall information desk or the Carmel Public Library.

In a nutshell, Carmel’s interactive public‑art story map represents a bold step toward integrating technology, art, and community engagement. It offers an accessible, ever‑evolving resource that celebrates the town’s creative spirit while inviting everyone to become a part of its ongoing narrative. As the map gains popularity, it is expected to serve not only as a tourist guide but also as a civic platform that nurtures dialogue, collaboration, and local pride.