EAST LANSING, Mich. — Downtown East Lansing has a new art exhibit, and it is a collaboration between students at East Lansing High School (ELHS) and pupils from Stepping Stones Montessori School.
The collaborative weaving project, which is mounted on the northeast side corner of the Division Street Garage, was funded by a Cultural Arts Grant from the East Lansing Arts Commission.
Using recycled materials, weaving materials from the MSU Surplus Store and fencing from a previous City art project, fiber arts students from ELHS and K-6 students from the Montessori academy met at Edgewood United Church on April 16 and 23 and crafted the wall hanging.
In total, nearly 60 students participated in creating this one-of-a-kind piece of art. All of the elementary students interacted with the high schoolers.
“As an art teacher, one of my favorite things is to see my students making things they are proud of,” says ELHS teacher Elise Millard. “My second favorite thing is encouraging collaboration. I especially love projects where we can combine the two! My high school students’ experience in fiber art has been greatly enriched by helping the elementary students at Stepping Stones work through the weaving. In class, they are making their own weaving projects, so it was a nice tie in to also make a larger recycled artwork that will go in our community.”
To learn more about efforts to sustain a vibrant, authentic City and downtown district, log onto www.cityofeastlansing.com/Placemaking.
