After three years of meeting, coordinating and celebrating, the
Lansing Sesquicentennial Foundation marked the end of their work this week with the dedication of the two final projects: the “Inspiration” sculpture and Sesquicentennial Time Capsule.
“We were just looking for something that would really provide a statement,” says Michael G. Harrison of the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, and President of the Lansing Sesquicentennial Foundation Board of Directors of the sculpture. “We are hoping that the placement along the Gran
d River will begin a series of other sculptures along the riverwalk in the future.”
The gift of public art was something the Lansing Sesquicentennial Foundation and its supporters felt would both benefit the community and represent this time in the city’s history.
“It’s striking,” says Harrison of the sculpture. “It’s interesting. If you and I are standing on opposite sides of it, we don’t see the same object. The image changes depending on where you’re standing.”
The 20-foot tall, 2,000-pound, $225,000 sculpture by
James Russell has been funded entirely be private donors including the Rotary foundation, Dart Foundation, the Capital Region Community Foundation, Cooley Law School, Auto Owners Insurance and more. According to Harrison, contributions of any amount were appreciated and allowed the entire community to be a part of the project.
“A couple of people sent a check for $50,” he says.
The committee is still accepting donations to cover the cost of the $75,000 foundation built to support the Inspiration Sculpture.
Source:Michael G. Harrison, Lansing Sesquicentennial Foundation
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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