Meridian Township Adds New Sculpture to its Marketplace on the Green
Sculpture by Artist Dane Porter funded by LEAP Public Art Grant with Support from PNC Foundation
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), regional placemaking funders and the Meridian Township community dedicated a new art sculpture today
SOW is a new art sculpture located the farmers market in Meridian Township funded in part by a LEAP Public Art for Communities Grant.
at the farmers market in Meridian Township. The contemporary sculpture, titled SOW, is the latest piece of permanent public art funded in part by a $10,000 grant from LEAP’s Public Art for Communities (PAFC) grant program, with support from the PNC Foundation. Meridian Township chose artist Dane Porter of Dane Porter Art Studio to enhance the recently updated Marketplace on the Green pavilion. Inspired by nature, growth and the farmers market’s local produce, SOW adds another layer of vibrancy to Meridian Township’s Marketplace on the Green.
“A prime community is more than homes, offices and stores. Public artworks are an important expression of the personality of a town and its residents,” said Meridian Township Supervisor Ronald J. Styka. “Meridian Township is proud to be a recipient of a LEAP public art grant. This new sculpture will bring joy to our residents.”
Since 2012, the PAFC grant program has invested $270,000 across the three-county Lansing region, funding 36 individual permanent art installations of varying mediums. Porter’s sculpture is the most recent addition to regional placemaking success.
“Placemaking is a powerful economic development tool when strategically implemented,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “The PAFC grant program focuses on transforming strategic locations through art — the popular farmers market to one of Meridian Township’s community spaces is a prime example. Investing in permanent public art projects enhances community image and enables Meridian Township and LEAP to attract people and grow businesses across the region.”
In 2015, LEAP formed a partnership with PNC Foundation, which focuses on early childhood education initiatives and economic development, including cultural enrichment programs that benefit communities. PNC’s annual $10,000 contribution helped expand the program and the number of pieces funded each year.
“PNC has a long history of strengthening and enriching the communities it serves,” said Tim Salisbury, PNC regional president for Mid-Michigan. “Over the years, this program has enhanced a number of Mid-Michigan communities through the placement of unique artwork designed to reflect the personality of the local region.”
“It was an absolute pleasure working on the Public Art For Communities Grant with Meridian Township,” said Dane Porter. “This grant truly promotes community engagement through art. The township was great in every aspect of the development, from being there to exchange ideas to helping layout the framework for the foundation. I couldn’t have done it without such a great team behind the project. They were as passionate about seeing the art come to fruition as I was.”
LEAP looks forward to launching the PAFC 2022 request for proposals near the start of 2022. Stay tuned at www.purelansing.com/publicart for more updates.
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all–working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
Category: Placemaking, Press Releases