Eve Gilbert, a Michigan Legacy Art Park volunteer, with a “Michigan Blue” round ready to install. Courtesy photo.
Freshwater Reporter asked Patricia Innis, education director of Michigan Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, about the park’s “Michigan Blue” spring-into-summer art project for classrooms and the public. Since we conducted this Q&A several weeks ago, project volunteers have begun installation of the collaborative project at the art park. Innis said the project should double in size in the next few weeks and triple by summer’s end.
FR: How did the idea for the Michigan Blue art project arise?
PI: To come up with an idea for the collaborative artwork, I first look at what’s been happening in the art park and what will be coming up for inspiration. Then, since the project starts in classrooms and then spreads to the general public, I run my ideas by the education committee for their feedback. I also consult with art park artist and former sculpture conservator Dewey Blocksman (“Wheels of Progress”).
It became obvious that we wanted to make use of the trees in the art park that had been blown over by a storm and, in the process, it would help clean up the park. We landed on the idea of cutting the branches into 3”-5” rounds. Then, inspired by Michigan’s lakes, streams and expansive blue skies, it was decided to invite kids and adults of all ages to create an image of something blue on their round.
FR: What is your advisor’s (Dewey Blocksma’s) role?
PI: Dewey Blocksman is an art park artist (“Wheels of Progress”) and former sculpture conservator. He is a very creative person and has practical experience doing complex things. Once we’ve settled on a theme and materials to be used, Dewey figures out how to physically make everything happen.
FR: How many groups or classrooms have reached out to you so far?
PI: We already have 14 classes, art councils and other groups creating blue rounds. Many are local but we have several classes and art groups from the Detroit area participating. Over 1,000 rounds have been distributed.
FR: Will one or both sides of the rounds be visible in the finished mosaic?
PI: The rounds are meant to be viewed from one side. In the finished installation the rounds will be visible from the trail.
FR: How will the rounds be fastened together, and will the public be involved in putting the rounds into the mosaic?
PI: The rounds will be tied with trip wire or zip ties to a 3 foot x 100 foot section of fishnet painted blue (and) attached to trees on the art park’s accessibility trail. It will be suggestive of a stream with ripples flowing into a pond. The “pond” will also be made of fishnet. Art park volunteers will attach the rounds to the netting in order to maintain the overall design. But classes bringing their blue rounds to the art park will be able to install them with guidance.
How do classrooms or individuals become involved?
If there are teachers or groups interested in creating blues, they should contact me at: patricia@michglegacyartpark.org. Throughout the spring and summer, there be opportunities for the public to create blue rounds, including at Michigan Legacy Art Park on Saturday mornings between June 30 And August 12. Other locations will be announced throughout the spring and summer.
People creating blue rounds are asked to use artist’s acrylic paint, permanent markers (such as Sharpies) or other permanent materials that will withstand the weather.
We will continue to add more rounds as they are created throughout the summer until Aug. 19.
The Michigan Legacy Art Park is open every day of the year, dawn until dusk. The park is located on the grounds of Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Find the park online at: https://michlegacyartpark.org.
