Project Name: Lake St. Clair, the Heart of the Great Lakes
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
City of St. Clair Shores
Website URL
Twitter Handle:
@scscitygovt
Facebook Handle:
Facebook.com/stclairshoresmichigan
Instagram Handle:
@scscitygovt
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Mike Greene
What are their preferred pronouns?
He/him/his
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Trader Todd’s Marina – 24030 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Anticipated project launch date
August 1, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
Our exterior wall mural project will be led by our private business partners (Trader Todd’s Marina and Zef’s Dockside) as well as our South Lake Schools partnership. The City will manage the project/grant, market the project, and add additional in-kind services, such as the use of City equipment.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
The funding would be used for supplies, such as paint, painting supplies, scaffolding, and honorariums for participating artists/volunteers.
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding.
Yes
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.20.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed artist. Confirmed LOS. Artist will be paid. We spoke with Murph who feels like this is a business district, not a commercial district in part because of the small businesses and MOSTLY because of the master plan and its narrative in the application.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
The City of St. Clair Shores has laid out the goal in our Master Plan of cultivating a vibrant atmosphere along the Nautical Mile to create a regional asset for the community and beyond. Adding this placemaking mural will help establish this area as a destination and reinforce its identifiable character rather than being a thoroughfare.
How will you engage your community in this project?
The project will be bringing together local high school students and community artists to participate in all aspects of the project. Project partners would also host an official public unveiling to acknowledge the community participants and to further promote the ideas of good stewardship to the lake in our community.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
Our goal for this project is to cultivate a vibrant atmosphere along the Nautical Mile by creating a regional asset that will draw residents and visitors to this area and increase foot traffic that has the potential to support our community’s retail, dining, and recreation establishments.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
By involving artists from different races, ages, cultures, socio-economic statuses, and artistic abilities, and being conscious in the development of imagery to promote the idea that Lake St. Clair is for everyone, not just an elite few.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
Donated exterior wall for a mural, committed to matching funds from project partner, and a local artist as lead creator.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Virginia Carstarphen
Artist Website (If Applicable): http://www.veecarstarphen.com
Artist Instagram Handle
@espritdevee
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Abstract and conceptual. Work is deeply attached to geography, especially the Midwest and great lakes. She demonstrates her reverence for a place through mapping imagery, color, line, and gesture.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
She plans to develop imagery that will both honor our location on the shores of Lake St. Clair, while celebrating the Nautical Mile and promoting environmental responsibility for our lake and the surrounding community. She also plans to work collaboratively with students from Southlake High School to engage the next generation in these ideas and efforts. She will be coordinating the work on the mural and may enlist other artists and organizations to participate such as the Lakeside Palette Club and the Nautical Mile Yacht Club.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Trader Todd’s Marina
Business 1: Business Type:
Boat Slips, Heated & Outdoor Storage, Events
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Todd Hyatt & Virginia Carstarphen
Business 1: Physical Location Address
24030 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Business 1: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 1: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
www.facebook.com/tradertoddsmarina
Business 1: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Providing project space, matching funds, mural design services, and project coordination.
Business 2: Business Name:
Zef’s Dockside
Business 2: Business Type:
Restaurant
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
John Palushaj
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
24026 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080
Business 2: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Facebook.com/zefsdockside
Business 2: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
@zefs_dockside
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
Financial support as well as co-hosting a volunteer luncheon.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
Yes
What are their names?
South Lake High School Art Department
Erica Phardel – Art Teacher
What role(s) will they have in the project?
South Lake High School will provide student artists who will assist with the design and painting of the mural.
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
No.
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
Grant/Project Management, marketing of the project, and additional in-kind services such as the use of City vehicles and equipment.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
Click the icon(s) below to view. Note that this may download to your computer depending on the file type.
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Trader Todd’s Exterior Wall facing west from the access drive
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Trader Todd’s Exterior Wall looking east from Jefferson Avenue
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