Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s Billboards Take to the Sky                             

Local Artists Work Featured Through Art in the Sky Project                                                                                

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing, in partnership with Adams Outdoor Advertising, has kicked off its seventh year of featuring the work of local artists’ billboards throughout the greater Lansing area.  Adams Outdoor Advertising donates advertising space through its Art in the Sky Program, which transforms traditional advertising space into a public art gallery by promoting the works of local artists.

“These billboards are an integral component of the growing public art scene in Greater Lansing, and we are so thankful to Adams for their partnership and support of the arts.” said Arts Council executive director, Deborah E. Mikula. “The billboards have become well-loved within the community and reflect our placemaking efforts in the region. They draw attention to the artists in our area, and make art experiences available to everyone,” Mikula said.

Billboards began going up after the Thanksgiving holiday and can be spotted along highways outside of the Ingham County area, where they serve as a way to attract visitors to Greater Lansing. Over the next two years, they will be periodically moved to locations all over the Lansing region whenever Adams has available board space.

More than 25 Lansing area artists submitted work for consideration, and seven were chosen for our 2016/2017 Billboard Project. This year’s awardees include Juanita Baldwin, Laura B. Delind, Dana Gardner-Clark, Julie Haan, Ivan Iler, Jennifer Medler and Wendy Shaft.

“This project allows us to connect with area artists in a new way,” said Mikula. “To participate, artists must be dues-paying members of our organization, and, as a result, we have met so many new artists who are now benefitting from the services we provide.”

To date, the local Art in the Sky initiative has highlighted the works of 41 Individual Artists, bringing art to the masses via the medium of outdoor advertising. To see this year’s billboards and to learn more about the Art in the Sky project, visit the Arts Council’s website at www.lansingarts.org.

Founded in 1965, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing exists to support, strengthen and promote art, culture and creativity in the capital region. For more information, visit www.www.lansingarts.org.