Artists brighten up downtown Lansing storefronts

Eight artists descended on downtown Lansing over the weekend carrying ladders, paint and brushes along with healthy imaginations to create works of art on the windows of mostly empty storefronts.

Local artist Bob Rose organized the paint-in by artists from mid-Michigan and Detroit as part of Best of Lansing 517 Weekend in the City.

The theme was “The Future of Downtown: Where Dreams Come True.” The artists showed their creativity from a Wizard of Oz theme by Kristina Wood to anime.

It was the first time several artists had painted on windows, which can be tricky. Chuck Lee of Detroit said it was the first time he had painted “big art,” and his dreamscape did not disappoint. What makes the finished painted windows even more interesting is the reflections that pop up in them on a sunny day.

Other artists were Tod Parkhill, Nevin Speerbrecker, a City Pulse cover art regular, Melina Brann, Ivy Herron, Kelsey Brianne and Bryan Whitfield. Sidewalk chalk artist and all-around illustrator and muralist Ryan Holmes was also on site.

Rose commended building owners for permitting their windows to be used as canvases. The installations will remain at least through the summer.