Source: Lansing Art Gallery
After six decades of enriching Lansing’s arts community, the Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center will officially close its doors at the end of April due to ongoing financial challenges. Despite months of efforts to develop a succession plan and secure additional funding, the gallery’s financial situation remained untenable. With ineffable time constraints and no long-term operational certainty, the board was compounded with difficulty in securing substantial funding, sponsorships, and grants, which led to the inability to meet current financial commitments, and ultimately the difficult decision to close.
To honor the gallery’s legacy and celebrate its contributions to the local arts scene, a final Closing Reception will be held on Thursday, April 3rd, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event will feature Michigan artwork available for purchase, offering an opportunity to support local artists, and selected pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection, including iconic works from the gallery’s history. Additionally, a special silent auction will take place at the reception for Embrace, a sculpture by renowned international artist Mark Chatterly, valued at $14,000, with bidding starting at $4,000. Most importantly, other local arts organizations will also be present to provide information about ongoing arts opportunities in the community to reassure artists and art connoisseurs that the Lansing arts community is resilient and remains strong.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Lansing Art Gallery over the years — from staff and board members to the local community and artists,” said the Board of Directors. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision, but we are proud of the gallery’s legacy and the important role it has played in shaping the cultural fabric of Lansing. We look forward to watching the other arts organizations beautify our community.”
The gallery’s last solo exhibition, Dog Days by artist Yve Holtzclaw, will be displayed in the Mezzanine Gallery during the new gallery hours until April 3rd:
- Thursday and Friday: 4PM to 7PM
- Saturday: 11AM to 3PM
In addition, there will be an ongoing liquidation sale throughout April featuring furniture, fixtures, and office supplies, all priced to move.
- Thursday, April 17th, 4PM-7PM
- Friday, April 18th, 4PM-7PM
- Saturday, April 19th, 11AM-3PM
- Friday, April 25th, 4PM-7PM
- Saturday, April 26th, 10AM - 5PM
- Sunday April 27th, 11AM-3PM
Volunteers wishing to contribute during this final period can reach out to [email protected].
For 60 years, the Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center has served as a vital part of Lansing’s arts culture, offering exhibition space, educational programs, and opportunities for local artists.
Although the gallery is closing, the arts community in Lansing remains vibrant, with many organizations continuing to serve the community. For more information about the final exhibition and auction, please visit the Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center’s Facebook.
