Beacon Arts Michigan and Macon Creek announce a new partnership rooted in a shared mission to expand access to the arts across rural Michigan. Together, the organizations will present Tales, Legends & Legacy, a signature series inviting audiences into a world shaped by stories – those we inherit, those we imagine, and those we create together.
Through concerts, youth education programs, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, Tales, Legends & Legacy explores how music and art carry our histories, illuminate our present, and guide our future. The series unfolds across Macon Creek’s storied 175-acre campus. While Macon Creek is rooted in a rural landscape, it is also within a short drive of Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Toledo, positioning the campus as a place where rural and urban communities meet – artistically, culturally, and relationally.
“We believe that everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy and inspiration of the arts, whether they live in a major city or a rural community,” said Emily Olson, Artistic Director of Beacon Arts Michigan. “That belief inspires us to bring premier artists to areas in Michigan where access can be limited. Each event we present celebrates Michigan’s rich cultural diversity and strengthens the bond between artists and the communities we serve. Partnering with Macon Creek amplifies this mission, expanding what’s possible when we work together to make the arts accessible statewide.”
Across the season, artists from Michigan and beyond bring their own tales to life at Macon Creek. Beginning in March with events scheduled through August, featured artists include percussionist Jonathon Brown exploring rhythmic dimensions in an interactive performance; nationally acclaimed Bayberry String Quartet tracing the linage of the string quartet tradition; Beacon Arts Trio weaving poetry and sound into vivid landscapes with music for flute, viola, and harp; pianist Amy I-Lin Cheng guiding young musicians through the enduring story of the piano; muralist Chilly Rodriguez and composers Daniel Fecteau and Mattie Levy inviting participants to reimagine how visual art and musical stories intertwine; and the Myriad Project blending classical craft with contemporary imagination through electroacoustic soundscapes.
“Together, Beacon Arts Michigan and Macon Creek celebrate the power of artistic storytelling – its legends, its legacies, and the new chapters written each time a community gathers to listen, learn, and create,” said Kim Tucker-Gray, Founder of Macon Creek. “This partnership allows us to welcome artists and audiences into a shared landscape of curiosity, care, and making. Macon Creek was created as a place where creativity takes root over time.”
John Goodell, Founder of Macon Creek, adds, “Our partnership with Beacon Arts reflects a belief that cultural exchange flows near and far. Some of the most powerful artistic work happens when people are willing to travel a little, gather intentionally, and stay awhile.”
For schedules, tickets, and program details, visit maconcreek.org/live.
About Macon Creek
Macon Creek inspires connection, creativity, and stewardship through the intersection of arts and education. We provide a purpose-built environment where learners of all ages engage in immersive and collaborative experiences that cultivate artistic excellence, imaginative inquiry, and thoughtful community. Learn more at maconcreek.org.
About Beacon Arts Michigan
Beacon Arts Michigan engages premier artists to perform in rural communities across Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, fostering artistic exchange, providing educational opportunities for young artists, commissioning new works, celebrating regional artistic heritage, and strengthening community engagement through the arts. Learn more at beaconartsmichigan.org.