FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2025
LANSING, Mich. — The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County) and the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC) are pleased to announce a project to install murals in 17 communities throughout Greater Lansing. The “ArtStorm 2025” public arts initiative will place murals around storm drains or catch basins containing educational messages like “only rain goes down the drain.”
Tri-County administers the GLRC, which will execute the project as part of its ongoing efforts to improve watershed health. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Arts and Culture Council is supporting the project through an $11,985 grant from its Experience Support Grant Program. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing will partner with ArtStorm 2025 to help hire local artists to paint the murals. Each of GLRC’s 17 member communities will select a storm drain in an urban area of high pedestrian traffic for mural placement.
“The rivers and lakes surrounding our communities throughout Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties are vital to our residents,” said Executive Director Jim Snell. “The ArtStorm project will provide beauty and public engagement throughout the region, increasing understanding of how to protect our essential waterways.”
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to use art as a medium to help the public understand the science behind storm drains,” said GLRC Chair and Ingham County Deputy Drain Commissioner Paul Pratt. “Our storm drains are critical to preventing flooding and keeping pollutants out of our rivers, so when we increase understanding of the effects of stormwater pollution, everyone wins.”
GLRC members work collaboratively to guide the implementation of stormwater management programs in the Grand River, the Red Cedar River, and the Looking Glass River watersheds. Members include the cities of DeWitt, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Lansing, and Mason, as well as the townships of Delhi, Delta, DeWitt, Lansing, and Meridian. The Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham County Drain Commissions and Clinton County Road Commission are also members, as well as Michigan State University and the school districts of Lansing and Waverly.
The GLRC helps facilitate National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits for municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) communities within the region, encouraging residents to reduce stormwater pollution. Together, GLRC member groups serve a population of over 328,000.
The ArtStorm 2025 educational initiative will kick off with a call to artists this winter. Mural painting will start in the spring, and the finalization is set for the fall.
CONTACT: Valonda Sesi
Marketing & Community Engagement Manager
517-898-1098
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The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Learn more at www.mitcrpc.org.
