Volunteers being sought to help paint community mural in Lansing


Volunteers needed to help paint a community mural ... The public restrooms on Front Street in Lansing will be transformed June 15-18 by a community mural painting project. Volunteers are being sought to help complete the project and can sign up at LansingLutherans.org. Submitted photo.

The Great Blue Heron Mural is a public art project wrapping around the public restrooms next to the fire station on Front Street in Lansing. The Lansing City Council approved a plan by local minister Laura Gentry to create a mural featuring wildlife of the Mississippi River valley. Set up in simplified blocks, volunteers will be able to fill in the design like a color-by-number painting.

The team of organizers invites businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, clubs, sports teams, families and individuals to take part in the creation of this art work between Thursday, June 15 and Sunday, June 18. A variety of volunteer duties will be available for people of all ages.

“We encourage everyone to get involved!” explains Laura Gentry. “It will be a fast-moving and fun process. Stop by for an hour, do some work on the mural and you’ll always be able to say: ‘I helped paint that!’”

There will be a gala from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, June 15. The public is invited to stop by to see the progress made on the first day of painting, visit with the artists and enjoy refreshments.

The Way Station in New Albin has donated paint shirts and cleaning supplies. Other organizations or individuals who would like to make supply or monetary contributions may contact Laura Gentry at lansinglutherans@gmail.com.

Visit LansingLutherans.org to find available one-hour shifts and sign-up information.