LANSING, Mich. — OLD TOWN - If you’re looking to take in the arts here in Lansing, it’s as easy as just looking up.
The Arts Council of Greater Lansing in partnership with Adams Advertising and the Ingham Hotel/Motel Tourism Fund is showcasing six phenomenal artists through their Art in the Sky project.
The winners will have their work featured on digital billboards in and around the city for the next year. According to the arts council’s communications director, Dawn Gorman, showcasing these artists offers some positivity in a tough year.
“Even though we’ve been through a lot this year, they’re the ones making the community better by creating art,” Gorman said.
Laura Gajewski is no stranger to the Art in the Sky project. She has been a member of the council for over a decade now. This year marks her third time being selected as a spotlight artist who will be featured on billboards from Lansing to Jackson.
“For the arts council to present this opportunity, especially this year, I think it’s extra good. I need it. People need it. We all need it,” Gajewski said.
For Gajewski, each opportunity to show her work is special.
“It’s an amazing surprise every single time. It’s amazing to know that your artwork is up there in the sky. First time or third time it’s equally exciting,” she said.
Her winning painting comes from a collection of her works titled "Abandonings." Gajewski has dedicated decades to illustrating abandoned houses and buildings in the hopes of capturing the memories left behind when a building is abandoned.
Gajewski’s Art in the Sky piece featured on digital billboards is titled "Cassidy Road."
“It’s a house that I grew up completely transfixed by. I could feel the memories of that place,” Gajewski explained. “What’s within the empty structure? It’s not really empty. It’s so full of so many years of so many poignant memories.”
As an artist and an art teacher for Waverly Community Schools, Gajewski said it’s been more difficult to stay creative in 2020.
“For the first time ever, I really have been challenged with my heart aching and my head hurting. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. I’ve been challenged in the studio to find that peace that typically comes a little bit easier for me,” she said.
She pushes her students to hold onto the happy moments and the opportunities to create together when things outside of the classroom can be “heavy," Gajewski said.
To follow Gajewski’s work beyond the Art in the Sky project, find her on Instagram at lgajewski.makesthings or on Facebook under LauraGajewskiArtist.
Make sure to share your artist sighting with us here at Fox 47 with the hashtag #ArtInTheSky for your chance to have your photos featured on the news.
