Lansing has always appreciated art from local artists, whether that is music, film, or painting and sculpting. There are plenty forms of art that cover the area. Lansing is full of passion and creativity. With on-going art renovations in East Lansing, REO Town, Old Town, and on Michigan State University campus, Lansing may be viewed artistic, once again.
Downtown East Lansing has a few art pieces throughout the downtown area. Local artists come from all over the city to create a scene that influence more visitors to stay a bit longer. Sculptures, wall graffiti, outdoor galleries, and sometimes street performers, are all reasons to visit the downtown district.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Stacking turtles statue, on April 22, 2018. The statues are in the middle of downtown East Lansing.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Bird girl statue, on April 22, 2018. The statue stands in the middle of downtown East Lansing.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Ladarrius Gray observes the art in East Lansing. The Kalamazoo native wishes his hometown had more art. "It could represent the different levels of life."
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Wall art in an alley, downtown East Lansing, on a sunny April 22, 2018.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Ryan Pinkster, 23, mimics the sculpture on April 22, 2018. "The statue has interesting textures, I like how the artist made it," said Pinkster.
One of the most memorable, and somewhat forgotten treasure on MSU’s campus, is the 4-H Children’s Garden. Jessica Wright, educational coordinator for the gardens, says there was nothing in that area before. In 1993, Spartan Child Development Center asked the very kids they work with, what they would like in a garden. “So, really, the garden is designed by kids, for kids. This is the only children’s garden in the nation, that was designed by children.”
The 4-H Children’s Garden will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
An interesting sculpture in front of the art museum on a beautiful April 22, 2018.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, and a sculpture on a sunny April 22, 2018.
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The Bird, a sculpture next to the Horticultural building, created from large nails, stands tall on April 22, 2018.
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Michigan 4-H Children's Garden, another hot spot for artistic sightings. A sculpture of a young boy reading on April 22, 2018.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
A world sculpture, in the 4-H Children's Garden on April 22, 2018.
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The Scarbroughs walk through the garden on April 22, 2018. Marshall natives came down for the flower sale, but stayed for the art.
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Ethan Scarbrough, 3, views of his favorite piece, the train tracks, in the 4-H Children's Garden.
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Interesting art piece in 4-H Children's Garden on April 22, 2018. Kari Scarbrough said "It gave me some great ideas for gardening climbers."
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Oliver Donevski, 20 plays on the musical steps in the 4-H Children's Garden. "It really brought me back to my childhood, the whole garden brings a whole new level of art to a children's playground," says Donevski.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Michigan educational art. This sculpture shows where certain crops are grown throughout our state. This photo was taken on April 22, 2018.
It’s great, really cool stuff. I haven’t seen anything like this before. Anything that interacts with kids and helps them get interested in art,” said Matt Scarbrough, 50, father of Ethan Scarbrough, 3.
REO Town, a small district south of downtown Lansing. The area is surrounded with large art pieces across walls and galleries throughout the town. Heather Frarey, owner at The Record Lounge, says in the last few years, local artists “really exploded” all over. “It’s a great way for a lot of independent people to interact with the area surrounding their home,” said Frarey.
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REO Town, an artistic way to show the town boundaries on April 23, 2018.
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Beautiful wall paint on an older building in REO Town on April 23, 2018.
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The Artisan Company wall art taking over a whole wall of this building with a beautiful design. This photo was taken on April 23, 2018.
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The Parrot head and HERC, on The Record Lounge wall. The graffiti was there before the store moved, and will remain to bring culture to the city.
“It’s funny, because not too long ago, a gentleman from Arizona came in, asking about that bird. Turns out, the artist is from Arizona and this guy just recognized his work. So, it’s just ironic, this guy is kind of a icon somewhere and his art just happened to land on a building we moved into,” said Bill Murphy on Parrot Graffiti, allegedly done by HERC.
Old Town is the oldest part of Lansing. Hosting two large music festivals, Jazz and Blues, each year, plenty of their art involves music. That and industrial, rustic metal sculptures to represent the industrial era back in 1890s. Barb Whitney, executive director for the Lansing Art Gallery, says “Art is the door to self-expression, and it allows us to interact as humans. We can engage with our community through forms of art.”
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Woman stands and observes the graffiti wall on April 21, 2018. "It is great, I have lived all over the world and have seen different art in different areas to really bring in culture. This makes me happy, seeing culture in smaller areas."
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Large metal sculpture, in front of Mr. B's home on April 21, 2018.
Anthony Michael Sandoval
Metal sculpture in Old Town, stands just before the graffiti alley on April 21, 2018.
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The long graffiti alley. The large art mainly is about music and the history of Old Town.
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Old Town has been known for jazz music. This wall art shows the passion they have for the music on April 21, 2018.
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Elvis, a music icon, has his own mural in Old Town. This photo was taken on April 21, 2018.
I love the art in Old Town, it is very industrial, every where you go, you see steel art and I really like that, it shows the strength we have,” said Tony Valenti, 50, retail manager.
A new project the Lansing Art Gallery has been preparing for is a 2018 ARTpath. This project will turn the Lansing River Trail into a public art gallery, Ten art sites in three and a half miles.