Art

3 Fish at Wonch Park

A Colorful Melange: We All Belong Here Mural

The mural, entitled “A Colorful Melange: We All Belong Here,” was created by a group of eight talented students from the Michigan State University Department of Art, Art History and Design (AAHD). As part of their Public Art: Understanding and Practice class, taught by MSU AAHD Associate Professor Benjamin Duke this past summer, the students … Continued

A Faraway Place

A Great Place to Start

The 17 feet tall metal sculpture titled “A Great Place to Start” was funded by the LEAP Public Art for Communities grant and created by local scrap metal artist, Tom Sheerin, who was raised in the neighborhood. The three human forms atop the sculpture are inspired by the letters DVF, for DeWitt Valley Farms. The D … Continued

A Nod to Robert Busby

In November 2017, the Lansing Poetry Club received a First Impressions Placemaking Grant supported by the City of Lansing, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, and the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. The purpose of the grant was to celebrate four areas of the city—Old Town, REO Town, the Stadium District and the Eastside— through a … Continued

Accrescere II

Made by Jae Won Lee, an associate professor of Art and Art History at MSU. As the artist describes, ” With Accrescere II  (Latin, meaning to increase or grow) the multiple seedpod-like forms are made out of white and colored porcelain of pale blue shades that were then fired at 2,350 degrees Fahrenheit, in both … Continued

All Things

The Commons is a beautifully landscaped area nestled between the historic Grand Ledge Opera House and the Grand River. This setting provides a picturesque showcase for the unique metal sculpture, “All Things”, created by the nationally recognized sculptor and West Michigan native, Johnny Blue. All Things was donated to the Opera House in 2005 by … Continued

Always a Champion

Shows Magic Johnson dribbling the ball with his right hand while directing other players with his left. At Johnson’s request, there was a serious look on his face, not a smile, which may account for why the face on the statue bears so little resemblance to the real thing. “I very rarely smiled when I … Continued

America’s First Agricultural College

This mural is a painting commissioned by the Federal Arts Project of the Works Progress Administraion for the East Lansing (Michigan) Post Office. It is currently on long-term loan from the United States Post Office. Designed in 1938, it measures 139 inches by 49 inches. (Source: MSU Library Public Artwork Archives)

Andromeda

Andromeda, by artist Anthony Frudakis, is a bronze sculpture named for a mythological Ethiopian princess that has become an unintentional welcome sign to the City of East Lansing and the campus of Michigan State University. The windblown girl in bronze dances in her place, above the median of busy Grand River Avenue, seemingly unaware of the … Continued

Anima Librata (Balanced Soul)

Artist Evan Lewis’s 25 foot high, 300 pound, stainless steel sculpture creates an ever-changing display of dynamic motion. Powered by wind, the movement of the sculpture follows no set pattern. The energy source in this kinetic wind-powered art sculpture has created an ever-changing display of dynamic motion since its creation in 2004.

Aquarius

Enamel porcelain on iron or steel. 144 in. by 168 in. 1954

Aries

Enamel porcelain on iron or steel. 168 in. by 144 in. 1954

Artifacts

Artifacts is a three-dimensional still life featuring bits of found tiles including early Pewabic tiles and some ancient tiles from Tripoli (circa 400 BC). This work also includes bronze pieces of broken musical instruments from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and several typewriter keys. The artwork was originally conceived for the Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary as a horizontal composition. … Continued

BE

The BE sculpture was inspired by a drawing of ‘A’ by local student Aaron Boughton, who won our art contest when he was 8 years old.  He showed a young ‘A’ standing with it’s family and reaching for the rainbow overhead. The glass ‘de-constructed rainbow’ overhead was created by renowned glass artist Craig Mitchell Smith.  BE was … Continued

Beal Garden Gates (Carlisle Gate and Handrails)

The 2008 Beal Garden Gates were made possible by a generous gift from Alumna Mrs. Sandra Carlisle, in memory of her husband John Carlisle.  Mrs. Carlisle wanted the gate to have an organic feel, which was captured by using plant-based shapes and casting bronze accents of hand-carved forms. The gates were crafted by Stefani & Company of Birmingham, Michigan … Continued

Beneficial Force of Water

The upper lobby of the Board of Water and Light Dye Conditioning Plant features three large murals. Look for them, including the 1940-era one shown above that depicts the advantages of water in regards to our health, cleanliness, environment, and recreation. (Source: Michigan Council for Art and Cultural Affairs)

Bicycle Yoga

Bicycle Yoga is one of the six artistic bike racks/functional public art pieces installed in downtown East Lansing in 2014 designed to enhance bike parking options and the urban landscape. Bicycle Yoga consists of two human-like figures doing yoga poses and is made of bronze. As artist Doug DeLind describes it, “One of them bends over forward and the … Continued

Bird in the Hand

Fabricated by LCC faculty and students, the aged copper hand is steel plate with a bird resting peacefully on the little finger and an owl, perched on the thumb. An outstanding addition to this frequently used section of campus, Bird in the Hand adds a distinct look to this open area. (Source: LCC Directory)

Bloom

Williams’ Bloom (2013) represents growth by portraying the fullness and lightness of flowers in bloom after a long winter. The artist compares the growth of flowers to students at Michigan State University who experience educational and personal growth during their campus journey. Once it is time for graduation, the students bloom.

Bottle Rocket

On August 14, 2015 a new public art sculpture, Bottle Rocket, was installed at the Impression 5 Science Center in downtown Lansing. Created through a joint collaboration by REACH Studio Art Center and Impression 5 (as well as with support from many other organizations, including the Arts Council of Greater Lansing), this large sculpture became … Continued

BP-87

Installed in 2006, this piece was originally conceived for a show at Chicago’s Navy Pier. At the time, artist Caspar Henselmann was preoccupied with tectonic plate movement. The concept behind the piece is embedded in the physical reality that we are sitting on a thin floating surface on a small sphere on an elliptical trajectory … Continued

Break Free

Artist Tea Brown painted the mural “Break Free” under the Shiawassee Street bridge for ARTpath, a temporary outdoor art exhibit where art is showcased on bridge underpasses and other public spaces along a 3.5 mile stretch of the Grand River. The mural features large, colorful wings as its centerpiece, surrounded by an eye, the Michigan mitten with a yellow … Continued

Brenke Fish Ladder Sculptural Bike Rack

Bridge Street Four

Throughout the centuries, art and music have served as a reflection of our culture. In early 2014, the City of Grand Ledge Downtown Development Authority (DDA) purchased 4 metal sculptures created by Michigan artist, Robert Barnum that link the synergy between music and art. The DDA and the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce held a … Continued

Brilliant

A metal sculpture by St. Johns artist Dace Koenigsknecht. It comprises three panels that represent the past, present and future of DeWitt and incorporates images of the river, rapids, a mill, a train and an awning. The art piece was created as part of the LEAP Public Art for Communities grant program.

Budget Friendly

Budget Friendly is one of the six artistic bike racks/functional public art pieces installed in downtown East Lansing in 2014 designed to enhance bike parking options and the urban landscape. Bill Mansfield, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chair explained why the DDA supported this project by saying, “This is an initiative the DDA undertook to support East Lansing’s arts culture. While we are … Continued

Building Community

Created in 2012 at Old Town’s annual ScrapFest, this piece is a visual depiction of the community building process: The foundation, while strong, has been assembled over the years in a rather haphazard manner. People filled spaces as needed, with some extending forth and some remaining in the background. The various colors of society are muted and … Continued

Butterfly Effect

If you made it out to the Old Town Commercial Association ScrapFest this year (and you should have!) then you’ve already seen The Butterfly Effect. A beautiful nine foot metal arbor created by the team Artistic Iron, it boasts over 80 metal butterflies among it’s winding metal vines, roots and branches. It won both the First Place … Continued

BWL Fountain

The grand two-story lobby of the Board of Water and Light houses a ceramic fountain, one of multiple sculptures in the building by Clivia Calder. This particular sculpture shows two girls grooming themselves, while their placement between two flanking metal stairs helps create a graceful interpretation of the machines found elsewhere in the plant. (Source: Michigan … Continued

Cadence

Artist Albert Paley constructed a poem along with his work of art to reflect his thoughts on the project and its name: Cadence Then as now Before language the cadence constant and ephemeral invisible its pulse evasive in stillness Transitioned towards light embraced in darkness Eternal the mystery pursued

Calliope’s Movement

Jeffery Laudenslager’s kinetic sculpture “Calliope’s Movement” was installed by the CATA – Captial Area Transportation Authority at the Capital Area Multimodal Gateway in East Lansing. Check it out the next time you’re catching the Amtrak Blue Water service to Chicago or boarding one of the intercity bus services on site.

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a 1997 creation from artist Nancy Leiserowitz. Her in artist statement she states, “I have been making life-size figures for many years- both from memory and from the model… Sometimes form comes more freely and with its own truth without confrontation with an actual human being. I am particularly interested in making sculpture … Continued

Cedar Street Art Collective Mural

The mural on the south side of CSAC was done by local artist Tod Parkhill. It was painted on four panels and installed August 2017.  It measures 8 foot by 16 foot. At first glance, it just looks like a bunch of random objects. Upon a closer look, it becomes more obvious that the objects … Continued

Chain Sculpture

Charlotte Rising

The City of Charlotte unveiled “Charlotte Rising,” in January, 2017, a new sculpture funded by a Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and PNC Foundation Public Art for Communities Grant. The sculpture, located at the corner of Lovett Street and Cochran Avenue in downtown Charlotte, was designed and created by Frank Balluff, a Charlotte native. When … Continued

Cherished

On her 2007 piece with in collaboration with her husband, artist Evelyn Clowes had this to say about their piece: “We created site specific sculptures. We visited MSU to get to know the site and to learn the mission, as our goal was to create an artistic or sculptural expression that speaks to both. We feel this sculpture … Continued

Children Reading

This small yet vibrant glazed terracotta sculpture and fish head fountain spout are part of a garden wall that leads to Sarah Langdon Williams Hall. Completed through the WPA/FAP, the three young girls reading serve as a symbol of education, which is fitting to this once all-female residence hall. Glazed terracotta, 35 in. by 18 … Continued

Children’s Sculpture Garden at Fountain Square Park

The Children’s Sculpture Garden at Fountain Square Park in downtown East Lansing is a whimsical garden that features a number of bronze sculptures, designed to appeal to a child audience. The sculpture garden includes: “Slow Social Climbers and Friends” – made up of different-sized turtles, “Laura” – a bronze statue of a little girl holding … Continued

Circle Back

Circle Back is one of the six artistic bike racks/functional public art pieces installed in downtown East Lansing in 2014 designed to enhance bike parking options and the urban landscape. Made of steel and of a circular concept, artist Paul Such describes that they “wanted to do a circular thing because bikes have a lot of circular motion going … Continued

Clang Tone

Commissioned for the MSU Libraries by Steven Wilensky and Mark Ritzenhein. Stainless steel and bronze. [MSU Lib artwork inventory; MSU Lib. Insight May 2014] 2013

Collateral Damage

The concept for Artist Joseph Mannino’s piece was a quotation from an embroidered pillow on a loveseat belonging to Alice Roosevelt Longworth. It read “If you can’t say anything good about someone, sit right here by me.” The 1999 sculpture was donated to MSU by the artist and the 2006 installation was underwritten by a … Continued

Community Heart of REO

Artist Tony Hendrick’s Community Heart of REO mural of the REO Motors and Diamond Reo facilities, the REO Clubhouse, and a 1927 REO, was dedicated on August 18, 2015 during REO Town’s annual Art Attack! festival. The mural, part of a three-year-long project, was funded by a Sense of Place grant from the City of … Continued

Conocimiento (Knowledge)

Carbon steel 2014

Construction #150

Originally dedicated at the Washington Square Mall in 1973, this abstract sculpture was eventually loaned to Lansing Community College by the City of Lansing for display on the downtown campus in 2008.  In the early 1970’s, the Metropolitan Lansing Fine Arts Council requested a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant. The NEA awarded the … Continued

Containment 1

This 2009 piece is an intricate, vein-like structure made of stainless steel. Paine is a sculptor who uses mechanical means and the innate logic of natural forms to create his “Dendroid” tree-like sculptures. His meticulous research and observation of a variety of tree species help him to understand the “language” of how a tree grows, and … Continued

Cultivation

This 2012 piece is designed with layers of images based on maps and seeds starting with warm, earthy tones on the bottom and ascending to sky blue at the top. As you descend down, the maps grow increasingly more detailed and newer in age, in addition to changing color. The images of seed come from both … Continued

Delight

Whether seen on foot or from the window of a passing car, Delight illustrates something simple, yet remarkable: if we only could all see through the eyes of a child, we might be able to better experience the beauty and liberating splendor of tightly grasping six balloons of varying harmonious colors in the air. If you can dream … Continued

DeLuca’s Italian Mural

One of Lansing’s oldest surviving murals painted on the exterior wall of DeLuca’s Pizza.

Dream Mobile No. 1

Dream Mobile No. 1 is one of the six artistic bike racks/functional public art pieces installed in downtown East Lansing in 2014 designed to enhance bike parking options and the urban landscape. All of the racks were made possible by the LEAP Public Art for Communities Initiative and the East Lansing Arts Commission and Art Selection Panel. They were … Continued

Dreamcatcher

Glass artist Craig Mitchell Smith donated $10,000 with of his glass art to Windwalker under the condition that the artists within the building would create something. Kalli Dempsey, Vincent Brady, Brandon McCoy, Matt Allumi, and Richard Turbin collaborated together over a period of 6 months to design, create, and install the sculpture. 5 ft in … Continued

Early Postman

Marion Overby completed this terra cotta bas relief, entitled “Early Postman,” in 1939 with funds provided by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. It is part of a wide array of New Deal art history in many post offices all over the State of Michigan. It can be viewed in the lobby of the historic Mason … Continued

Eastside History Murals at the Venue

The Scott Gillespie Company commissioned Brian Whitfield to create a series of 10 murals depicting the history of the Eastside of Lansing on the back of the new apartments and shops at the Venue on E. Michigan Avenue in 2018.

ECHO

The definition of an echo – a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound waves from a surface – is the impetus for this 2012 work of art, also inspired by the invisible sound waves that emulate from the amphitheater and reverberate onward in space.  For the artists, these invisible concentric sound waves inform, … Continued

Education and Community

Dubbed the “Red Ribbon in the Sky”, this sculpture is the crowning jewel of LCC’s public art initiatives and downtown art walk. At 30 feet tall, it stands on the edge of campus bridging the gap between Downtown Lansing and the college that calls downtown home. The Red Ribbon delicately flows around a stainless steel, … Continued

Elderly Music Mural

Though it has operated since 1984 in a renovated building on North Washington Avenue in Lansing, MI, Elderly Instruments has recently undertaken a major exterior facelift. And what an update it is! Owner Stan Werbin has commissioned Los Angeles artist Jennifer Springman to design and apply a custom music-based mural to the 68′ X 15′ face of the building. … Continued

Elementary

Three pencils, each different in size, join together to create Elementary by Ryan Miller. This simple, yet large and intricately detailed sculpture will take you by surprise with its towering existence at nearly 25 feet. Outside of LCC’s Early Learning Children’s Community, it is sure to be an attraction that both children and adults flock to … Continued

Elite Dance Company

The Elite Dance Company is committed to instilling a passion for dance education in all of their students. The EDC strives to provide quality dance education ensuring each dancer has an enjoyable and memorable experience, along with promoting a positive self-image, sense of accomplishment, expression of creativity and appreciation for the art of dance. It … Continued

Energy For Life

This piece, entitled “Energy For Life” by Jim Cunningham, was commissioned in fulfillment of the City of East Lansing’s Percent for Art Ordinance.

Engineers Monument

Dedicated on October 12, 1912 to the First Regiment of Michigan Engineers, which was a forerunner of today’s Army Corps of Engineers. This regiment’s job during the Civil War was to build roads, railroads, bridges, buildings, communication lines, and tear down enemy roads, railroads, bridges, etc. all while under fire in the worst possible conditions. … Continued

Familiar Faces

This 7 ft. tall bronze sculpture s located at “No Name Park” in East Lansing and includes masks of previous East Lansing and MSU arts leaders. It was installed in 1999.

Farm Lane Bridge Graffiti

Graffiti under the Farm Lane Bridge

Filament

“Filament” sweeps through the Brody Hall university commons atrium like a brush stroke of light and color. A delicate and crystalline gesture in space, it ascends above the stairway, visible from inside and out, night and day. Its form suggests images that are simultaneously botanical and technical, familiar and fanciful. Tautly suspended from the main … Continued

Fish Bike Rack

The functional and creative “fish” bike rack is a colorful site at Jaycee Park, located near the boat launch along the Riverwalk Trail. Fishing the Grand River is a popular pastime for Jaycee Park visitors, as is biking the rich trail system around Grand Ledge. The fish is a perfect addition to this fun and … Continued

Fragmented

World renowned artist, Imran Qureshi, was inspired by two 2010 suicide bombings in the marketplace of his home, Lahore. From a distance the red paint splattered throughout Ann Street Plaza recalls the aftermath of tragedy, but upon closer approach, the intricately painted floral patterns become clear, revealing beauty and the artist’s message of hope. The … Continued

Friedland Scrap Fence

If you’ve been to Friedland in Old Town, you’ve probably noticed their hubcap-decorated fence. It’s become a landmark of sorts. The hubcaps are painted by people who visit them during Be A Tourist In Your Own Town every year. Except in 2014, they ran out of hubcaps! As a result, for the 2015 Be A Tourist In Your … Continued

Funambulist

The term “funambulist” comes from the Latin “funambulus” meaning rope dancer or tightrope walker. The artist notes: “This piece exhibits a great sense of balance and choreography. Combined with its association to the sail, it sets up a juxtaposition between the heaviness of steel and the fleeting forces of the wind, creating a compelling visual … Continued

Gateway to Health

This welded bronze sculpture depicts exercise in a diverse world and human engagement in sports and recreation. Located outside the IM West Building, it physically and emotionally ties with the mission of the Intramural and Recreation Sports Department. (Source: MSU Public Art on Campus Committee)

GBC

GBC is one of the six artistic bike racks/functional public art pieces installed in downtown East Lansing in 2014 designed to enhance bike parking options and the urban landscape. All of the racks were made possible by the LEAP Public Art for Communities Initiative and the East Lansing Arts Commission and Art Selection Panel. They were dedicated to the city on October … Continued

Genessee Street Elementary School Mural

The neoclassical brick behemoth — built in the early 1900s — became a school by 1912. It remained part of the Lansing School District until the late ‘80s. The mural reads “we’re all in this together”.

Geometry

This sculpture by Hamilton Anderson Associates adds to the diverse and stunning array of public art on LCC’s campus. Look for the acute depth changes and play on colors that add to the dramatic presentation of this 12-foot contemporary sculpture. The paint finish was applied by local LCC alumni. Geometry sits at the southeast corner of … Continued

Gillespie Building Graffiti

In 2016, graffiti artist, Samskee DeBourban was commissioned by the Gillespie Group to graffiti an entire building by the Lansing Brewing Company.

Glass

Artist Margaret Evangeline uses mirror polished stainless steel in this 2013 piece as a target for a gunshot. To her, piercing the metal signifies the inevitable decay of all things. Her work represents her distraught nature about life and lost after the tragic events of 9/11.

Global Balance

Mr. Spath states, “My work largely deals with the balance of man-made and natural elements and forms. Most of my sculptures are made of stone and glass. Often the stone is left rough in areas, representing the natural elements, while the glass is man-made. When I work in granite and glass, this dichotomy is particularly … Continued

Global Village

Continue on your stroll of LCC’s stunning array of public art. Among the path NW of the side of the Arts & Sciences Building, you will find Global Village: a gleaming celebration of culture, beauty and life as the engineered steel comes together to give the illusion of spinning ability. It brings an international sense of … Continued

Governor Austin Blair Memorial

Due to its central location when viewing the Capitol, this monument by C. W. Hills holds important real estate on the Capitol grounds. Austin Blair was governor of Michigan from 1861 to 1864, and is the only governor to have a statue at the Capitol. In 1895, the Michigan legislature appropriated $10,000 and directed that … Continued

Graffiti Art Wall

This large-scale graffiti art is located on the wall of what was formerly the Cadillac Club. Now home to Riverview Church’s newest location, this graffiti wall poses an interesting juxtaposition on the traditional image of religious building facades. The adjacent parking lot from which to view the art is where REO Town’s “Art Attack!” festival is held … Continued

Grand Army of the Republic Monument

Enjoy a stroll among the Capitol grounds to see not only public art, but also important historical monuments and markers to the State of Michigan. Erected by the Michigan Women’s Relief Corp on June 11, 1924 in memory of the men of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), this piece symbolizes a small but longstanding … Continued