EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Art Selection Panel and East Lansing Arts Commission have selected local artist Julian Van Dyke to create a commissioned East Lansing-themed public art mural for the Grove Street alley as part of the East Lansing Artist Alleys project.
Van Dyke is a contemporary artist from Lansing and his public artwork can be seen throughout the region, including the MSU campus, Cooley Law School, the Eyde Company and the Lansing School District’s Reo Elementary School. Van Dyke is also a member of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and an exhibiting artist at Grove Gallery & Studios in downtown East Lansing.
Van Dyke’s proposal for the East Lansing Artist Alleys mural was selected from a group of 15 proposals submitted by talented Michigan artists. Van Dyke will be creating a 32’x10’ mural comprised of three large painted tin panels for the Grove Street alley, which is located adjacent to Ann Street Plaza. Each panel depicts a different aspect of the East Lansing community.
“This is truly an honor for me to be selected by the East Lansing Arts Commission and Art Selection Panel,” said Van Dyke. “Being the artist for the project allows me to share the long-time inspiration I’ve always had to exhibit and give my contribution to East Lansing – City of the Arts!”
“Julian’s proposal for the project sought to capture the essence of East Lansing, which is what we were looking for when we set out to find an artist for the East Lansing Artist Alleys public art mural,” said East Lansing Arts Commission Chair Sarah Triplett. “We are happy to have selected a local artist for this project and we can’t wait to see his finished work.”
Van Dyke’s mural will be installed in downtown East Lansing this spring as part of the East Lansing Artist Alleys project. In addition to the public art mural, a mosaic created by MacDonald Middle School students and area seniors will be installed in the pedestrian alley located in the 500 block of E. Grand River Avenue. Other improvements to the alleys will include new lighting, new planters, new landscaping, outdoor game tables, new chairs/benches and more. The East Lansing Artist Alleys project was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised $47,285 in community funds. The campaign was part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Public Spaces, Community Places program and the community dollars were matched by a $45,000 MEDC grant.