Old Town Facelift

Elderly Instruments exterior gets a colorful new addition

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THURSDAY, JULY 23 — Lansing community members gathered Tuesday afternoon outside Elderly Instruments in Old Town to celebrate the completion of a mural on the outside wall of the store, facing North Washington Avenue. The event featured cake and live music, as well as speeches from prominent figures in Old Town and Lansing.



Elderly Instruments has been owned and operated by Stan Werbin since its founding 43 years ago. The internationally recognized purveyor of fine stringed instruments moved to its Old Town location in 1984.



Werbin’s niece, Jennifer Springman, designed and created the mural. Springman, based out of Los Angeles, is an independent graphic designer and painter.



The 68 by 15 foot mural features a PRS electric guitar, Martin acoustic guitar and ukulele and a Deering banjo. An outline of the Capitol building and the logos of Elderly Instruments and Old Town are also worked into the design.



The crowd attending the mural completion event spilled out onto the street, blocking traffic. The cars driving by waved and honked at the mural as they passed the gathering of people. Austin Ashley, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association, noted this friendly attitude in his speech.



“If we’ve stopped traffic, I don’t think there’s a better way to show how much the community wants us here,” he said.



Ashley was joined by Carol Wood, City of Lansing councilwoman, who noted the mural’s connection to the unique character of Old Town.



“It really represents the eclectic nature of Old Town and all of the groups that have lived here and worked here,” she said. “We’ve talked so much about place-making in Lansing, and if this doesn’t make a place, I don’t know what will.”



Springman was also in attendance to sign the mural and express her thanks to the community of Lansing. She said that many community members stopped to talk to her as she worked outside on the mural.



“Lansing is a home away from home now,” she said.









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