Brightening the alleys

MONDAY, April 15 — Local artist Julian Van Dyke will get a chance to make his mark in East Lansing.

Julian Van Dyke

Courtesy photo

The East Lansing Art Selection Panel and East Lansing Arts Commission selected Van Dyke to create an East Lansing-themed public art mural for the Grove Street alley as part of the East Lansing Artist Alleys project.

“This is truly an honor for me to be selected by the East Lansing Arts Commission and Art Selection Panel,” Van Dyke said. “Being the artist for the project allows me to share the long-time inspiration I’ve always had to exhibit and give my contribution to East Lansing.”

Van Dyke’s his public artwork can be seen throughout the region, including the MSU campus, Cooley Law School, the Eyde Company and the Lansing School District’s Reo Elementary School. Van Dyke is also a member of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and an exhibiting artist at Grove Gallery & Studios in downtown East Lansing.

Van Dyke’s proposal for the East Lansing Artist Alleys mural was selected from a group of 15 proposals submitted by Michigan artists. Van Dyke will create a 32’x10’ mural composed of three large painted tin panels for the Grove Street alley, which is adjacent to Ann Street Plaza. Each panel depicts a different aspect of the East Lansing community.

“Julian’s proposal for the project sought to capture the essence of East Lansing, which is what we were looking for when we set out to find an artist for the East Lansing Artist Alleys public art mural,” said Sarah Triplett, chairwoman of the East Lansing Arts Commission. “We are happy to have selected a local artist for this project and we can’t wait to see his finished work.”

Van Dyke’s mural will be installed in downtown East Lansing this spring, prior to the East Lansing Art Festival, as part of the East Lansing Artist Alleys project. In addition to the public art mural, a mosaic created by MacDonald Middle School students and area seniors will be installed in the pedestrian alley located in the 500 block of East Grand River Avenue. Other improvements to the alleys will include new lighting, new planters, new landscaping, outdoor game tables and new chairs and benches.

The East Lansing Artist Alleys project was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised $47,285 in community funds. 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.