EAST LANSING, Mich. – Community members and members of the media are invited to attend the dedication of the East Lansing Artist Alleys public art mural and community-created mosaic in downtown East Lansing on Friday, June 3 as part of the Arts Night Out event.
At 6 p.m., the community-created mosaic will be dedicated in the pedestrian alley adjacent to 549 E. Grand River Ave. The mosaic is the result of an intergenerational partnership between the East Lansing Prime Time Seniors’ Program and the MacDonald Middle School After School Art Club. Area seniors and students worked as a team to create the beautiful mosaic, which will be enjoyed by many community members and visitors for years to come. East Lansing City Councilmember Susan Woods will provide remarks at the dedication.
At 6:30 p.m., an East Lansing-themed public art mural created by local artist Julian Van Dyke will be dedicated in the Grove Street alley adjacent to Ann Street Plaza. Van Dyke’s proposed mural was selected by the East Lansing Arts Commission and East Lansing Art Selection Panel from a group of 15 proposals submitted by talented Michigan artists. The 32’x10’ mural is comprised of three large painted tin panels featuring East Lansing-themed art.
At 7 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy free, live jazz by Solace in Ann Street Plaza. Several street performers will also entertain crowds at various locations throughout the downtown from 5-8 p.m.
“We are thrilled to commemorate the installation of two new public art pieces in downtown East Lansing,” said East Lansing Community & Economic Development Administrator Lori Mullins. “The EL Artist Alleys project has been made possible by more than 100 generous contributors. We would like to thank all of the supporters for their help in revitalizing two highly traveled public spaces in the downtown.”
Visit www.downtownel.com for additional information about the EL Artist Alleys public art dedications.
More about the EL Artist Alleys
The EL Artist Alleys project is the result of a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised $47,285 in community funds last fall to revitalize and redesign downtown East Lansing’s Grove Street alley and the pedestrian alley in the 500 block of E. Grand River Ave. 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. In addition to the public art installations, additional improvements to the alleys will include the installation of new public tables, chairs, games, lighting, and landscaping.
Arts Night Out
The EL Artist Alleys dedications coincide with the Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s Arts Night Out, hosted this month in downtown East Lansing. Art-related events, activities and exhibits will be hosted from 5-8 p.m. at a number of downtown East Lansing businesses and venues on June 3. Community members are encouraged to come downtown and enjoy and evening of art. Learn more: http://www.lansingarts.org/Events/ArtsNightOut.aspx.