Artists begin transforming rusty railroad overpasses in Muskegon
The Muskegon City Public Art Initiative is working to add 10 new significant works of public art to Muskegon in about five years. Author: Jon Mills Updated: 5:37 PM EDT May 24, 2021
MUSKEGON, Mich. The Muskegon City Public Art Initiative is working to add 10 new significant works of public art to Muskegon in about five years.
One of those projects is happening right now on Seaway Drive between Laketon and Hackley Avenues.
The old rusty railroad overpass is now a massive canvas form Detroit-area artist Ed Irmen and Muskegon artist Ashley Nash.
Both sides of the overpass owned by CSX will receive colorful murals.
Illuminated sculpture gives Muskegon beach-goers colorful scene amid picturesque sunsets
Updated 11:40 AM;
MUSKEGON, MI – Blue and green glass rings illuminated with LED lighting greet beach-goers to Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Park as part of a recently installed abstract sculpture.
The illuminated sculpture is visually interesting, especially at night with Lake Michigan, the beach and potentially a sunset as the backdrop.
The 22-foot-tall sculpture “Celebrating Muskegon” is the third commission from the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative (MCPAI), a community-driven effort that aims to bring 10 works of art to the area.
The sculpture was installed at the roundabout at Beach Street and Lakeshore Drive.
Enough money has been raised for murals to be painted on two railroad overpasses in Muskegon, Mich.
Sometimes railroad bridges just need a little paint.
However, what is going on in Muskegon, Mich., is more than your standard paint job. Back in December, the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative (MCPAI) started a fundraiser for murals to be painted on both sides over railroad overpasses on Seaway Drive between Laketon and Hackley avenues. The overpasses are owned by CSX.
The fundraiser has successfully met a $50,000 goal, which will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces, Community Places. The total cost of the project is $212,000. A grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation, $68,000 from the city of Muskegon and money from the MCPAI will cover the rest of the cost.
Grand Rapids Business Journal Courtesy Jimmy Cobb
Courtesy Ed Irmen
Courtesy Ashley Nash
Courtesy Dan Parker
Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores will soon enjoy a series of murals on two railroad overpass bridges along Seaway Drive with the support of a new crowdfunding campaign.
The Muskegon Rails Project campaign launched on the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the city of Muskegon.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by Feb. 20, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
For more project details and to donate, people can visit patronicity.com/mkg2.