A local woman is looking for fellow artists from across the area — and across all ages — to come out for a day at the park later this summer.

Dowagiac’s Kandy Grady is organizing the city’s first ever “Art in the Park” event, which is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Beckwith Park downtown. Grady is putting out a call to artists who work in 2D mediums to participate in the event, which will be free of charge to visitors.

Participating artists will spend the morning drawing, sketching or painting original artwork to give visitors a chance to see the creative process in action, as well as to ask questions and get to know the people behind the artwork, Grady said.

“The idea is to get the community actively involved in art, to participate in the creative process instead of just passively viewing it,” Grady said.

Artists will be asked to bring their own supplies, including an easel and drawing board. They may also bring two pieces of finished artwork, which they may sell to visitors.

Grady, a former participant in the prestigious ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, said that in her experience, live art shows like the one she is planning tend to attract viewers like “magnets.”

The Dowagiac woman has worked on drawings and paintings full-time for the past four years, and has participated in several art shows, including an exhibition called “For the Love of Art,” which took place this spring at the Century Center in South Bend.

Art in the Park is meant to harken back to the old displays hosted by the now defunct Dowagiac Art Guild, the Dowagiac native and lifelong lover of the arts said.

“I used to attend a lot of their art shows in my childhood,” Grady said. “I remember they used to sprawl out through entire lawns of places like the old middle school. I was fascinated by all the artwork they would have on display.”

Toysa True, owner of downtown’s Shabby Bou-Chic thrift store where Grady displays some of her artwork, suggested that the Dowagiac woman host the art exhibition at Beckwith Park. Grady has worked with the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce to get the project off the ground, and has recently gotten official approval from the city to use the park for the event.

On top of looking for experienced artists living in Dowagiac, Niles and other parts of Michiana and southwest Michigan, Grady is hoping to use Art in the Park to showcase the work of the area’s budding talents — no matter how old they are. Grady said she was inspired by the passion and dedication that children and teenagers can bring to the art world after teaching a class at Dowagiac’s The Stepping Stone community center earlier this year.

“It was one of the most gratifying experiences I have had as an artist,” she said.

Children under the age of 13 must have a parent or guardian with them during the show in order to participate.

Artists interested in applying for the show can email Grady at kgradyartist4life@gmail.com for an application. There will be a $5 charge to participate.

In the event of inclement weather the event will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 26.