Those who were sad to see the demise of the
Deluxe Inn graffiti project along with the building's demolition last year will be delighted to know that some of the art is going to have a second life in
REO Town.
Panels of the graffiti are in the process of becoming public art statues designed to attract visitors to the REO Town district with some help from
REACH Studio Art Center, the
REO Town Commercial Association and local artist
Tom Sheerin. In addition to the graffiti-covered panels, the statues will be constructed with recycled industrial materials including car parts.
“We’re trying to do a kind of place-making [piece] to show that, ‘yes, we still identify with REO Town being about vehicles and industry,’” says Jeana-Dee Rogers, REACH Studio Art Center Outreach Coordinator. “For better or worse, we’re a rust belt community, and now we’re making sure art has a place in this landscape.”
Locals may recognize metal artist Tom Sherron’s work from the signs he’s made for
The Tin Can and
Fish Ladder Tattoo.
While the sculptures will be sealed to protect the graffiti art, Rogers says future events could include opportunities for the panels to be repainted on an annual basis, providing for continually changing art.
The sculptures are scheduled to be completed between April 15 and May 6. Helping to support the project are the
City of Lansing Arts & Cultural Grant Program, which is funded through the
Lansing Economic Development Corporation with help from the
Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Inc.Source: Jeana-Dee Rogers, REACH Studio Art Center
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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