An interactive art show to engage the creativity of young minds, as children make and display their artwork will be presented at Dowagiac Summer in the City Festival by Frame of Mind Custom Framing and Art Gallery on Front Street.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, Summer in the City returns to the central business district July 28-30 as it presents 47 hours of vocal and instrumental entertainment and dance, Sizzlin’ Hot Sidewalk Days, an array of family events, plus the acclaimed Steve’s Run of Southwestern Michigan College.

The three-day festival was underwritten this year by a $10,000 fine arts grant awarded to the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority from St. Denys Foundation of Dowagiac and 26 corporate and activity sponsors that include Dr. Charles Burling and Dr. Jon Gillesby, Creative Vinyl Signs, Edward Jones and the Office of Kim MacGregor, Family Fare, Frontier Communications, LADD, Leader Publications, Lyons Industries, Dr. Alan Montgomery and SMC.

“Festival organizers are pleased to welcome Frame of Mind Custom Framing and Art Gallery, owned and operated by Helen Moorman, who will oversee this year’s  interactive children’s art event,” said Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce and DDA program director, who raised monies for the festival and handled its event coordination.

Presented as a free attraction, Moorman said children of all ages are encouraged to participate in the hands-on art show, as they release their inner creativity.

Frame of Mind and the Chamber of Commerce will provide drawing paper and crayons for children to use.

Moorman said children, who have their festival artwork placed on display at her gallery, will also enjoy meeting Patricia Rose, a freelance illustrator who will join award-winning children’s author Cheri Hallwood for a book signing at the art gallery on Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30, from noon to 3 p.m.

Hallwood, of Niles, is the author of the children’s book Curious Polka-dot Present. Rose said her art has been a wonderful journey of learning, which she hopes will never end.  As a freelance artist, her main interest is portraiture.  However, she also enjoys painting religious art and landscapes.

In addition to Children’s Clothesline Art and guest appearances by Hallwood and her illustrator, Frame of Mind will also showcase the art of Joshua Jessup, a chain mail and leather tooling artisan, who will be working on site during Dowagiac’s three-day summertime bash, beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

Frame of Mind Custom Framing and Art Gallery is located next to Underwood Shoes in the downtown at 145 S. Front St.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.DowagiacChamber.com.