The Review Magazine : May-June 2022

Beautifying Unsightly Areas Specific focus is placed on areas that could benefit from beautification and activation efforts. Such spaces could be void of vegetation, or have walls that are frequently tagged with graffiti, giving the spaces a feeling of abandonment. These spaces would not be areas users would traditionally stop and rest at, but instead pass by quickly anxious to get to a better view. We worked to transform spaces under bridges from concrete gaps lacking life to energizing and vibrant spaces pulsing with creativity. We’ve done so by placing interactive sculptures along the trail, allowing youth and adults alike to experience art in a way they may never have before. Now, in areas like the vast concrete expanse under Interstate 4-96, you will find people taking pictures and enjoying the diverse grouping of murals that cover the walls. Diversity of art mediums and artists themselves is a large focus of this project. Our goal is to expose the community to several art styles and medias, possibly challenging them to reconsider their own definition of art. We strive to have our artists reflect our community and are very proud of the variety of marvelous people we have been able to work with over the years. Active Art Lansing Parks and Recreation strives to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, get active, and connect with each other. ArtPath does all these things, encouraging people to walk from site to site, unite with local artists’ work, and even learn and chat with the artists themselves during scheduled “artist talks” throughout the summer. The Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center works to provide public awareness, education, and enjoyment of the visual arts by promoting the works of Michigan artists. By working with artists to display outside of the Gallery’s four walls, they have brought the experience to the masses, ensuring everyone can enjoy our local artists. One of our ArtPath artists, Isiah Lattimore, stated "the outdoors doesn't close," meaning that you can explore public art in your own time, and at your own pace, creating more opportunities for access and discovery. ArtPath focuses on temporary installations, only lasting through the summer months. We do this purposely to change and highlight a space that a viewer may not be aware of, or notice. The excitement of an artist’s work brings an immediate energy and activation to the space, causing the viewer to take

Community Response The community has responded with open arms to ArtPath, from coming out and experiencing the art (over 82,000 people), to supporting the project financially. ArtPath has been lucky enough to be a part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Patronicity Program for the past four years, a fabulous program in which MEDC matches the community contribution. Each year has been wildly successful, receiving an average of $8,000 from the community. With the help of these funds, ArtPath financially supports the artists at $1,000 per site. ArtPath also consists of wayfinding and interpretive signage, programming, and other supports to ensure the public can fully enjoy the event. ArtPath is also generously supported by several area business through sponsorships and grants. It has been the fortunate recipient of grants focused on arts and placemaking like the City of Lansing Arts Projects and Ingham County Hotel/ Motel Funds for the Arts grants both administered by The Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

notice with a different perspective. Although many of our murals have

remained, much of the work of ArtPath is removed after three months. The yearly change encourages the viewer to revisit every year to experience the new interpretations of the space.

MAY / JUNE 2022

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THE REVIEW