Volunteers to Recognize MLK Day by Creating Public Mural Arts Council receives mini-grant for creative community service project

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 7, 2011 – Volunteers from the Lansing community will celebrate the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by joining the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, muralists Erika Magers and Brian Snyder, and community participants of all ages to create a mural commemorating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 17. The “Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Creative Service” mural project will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Black Child and Family Institute, located at 835 W. Genesee St. in Lansing. Activities include painting a mural designed by local youth, educational presentations from local artists whose work reflects themes of social justice, and a celebration of world music traditions provided by local musicians during lunch. Interested community members are invited to participate.

Funded by a mini-grant from the Michigan Community Service Commission, the Michigan Nonprofit Association, the Michigan Campus Compact, and the Volunteer Centers of Michigan, the mural project aims to reaffirm Dr. King’s teachings of nonviolence and social justice and celebrates the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in an effort to engage more volunteers in national days of service. Volunteers involved in the day long activities include students from Michigan State University aiming to make this national holiday a “day on, not a day off.”

“We are pleased to have received this grant to support a project that builds community and serves to educate and beautify the city through art,” said Arts Council of Greater Lansing Executive Director, Leslie Donaldson. “This project serves as one component of a larger Lansing Area Mural Program we are partnering with local community organizations to create in order to facilitate personal growth and healthy community involvement among Lansing area youth through mural making.”

Once completed, the Martin Luther King, Jr. mural will be installed for permanent public display at the Black Child and Family Institute.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service was initiated by Congress in 1994 and has been developed beyond a federal holiday honoring Dr. King, into a national day of community service directed by the King Center and the Corporation for National and Community Service. This project is one of hundreds of activities held in states and cities across the country to honor the legacy of Dr. King.

For more information about this national day of service, visit www.MLKDay.gov. For information regarding the mural, please contact Program Manager, Katie Robiadek at (517) 372-4636 or katie@www.lansingarts.org.

Founded in 1965, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead, advocate for and advance arts and culture in the capital region. For more information, visit www.www.lansingarts.org.