Kate Lawrence

Kate Lawrence has served as a municipal official with the City of Brighton since 1993.  She served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1995 to 1999, and as Mayor from 1999 to 2005.  Kate became Mayor again in 2007.  She became active with the League as soon as she became a councilmember, serving as chair of Region I in 1995.  She completed a three-year term on the League’s Board of Trustees in 2003, and served as president of the League from 2002-2003.  Kate is the current chair of the MML Liability and Property Pool Board, and also serves as treasurer on the League Foundation Board.  Taking advantage of the League’s EOA offerings, Kate had attained Level III: The Governance Award.

Monday

March 3, 2008

Hi my name is Kate Lawrence.  I am pretty excited to be able to tell you about our Brighton Biennial.  To give you a brief history, when I became president of the MML in 2002, I had an opportunity to visit many cities and villages in this great state.  By doing so, I was able to see firsthand how different communities attracted their citizens or their customers into their downtowns.  I was intrigued by sense of place feelings that these communities displayed.  We in Brighton had implemented many recommendations of the 2003 Downtown Blueprint Plan.  Some of those plans meant increasing the pedestrian friendly atmosphere.  We have been very successful in that regard as we had our City Planning Commission, City Council, and our Downtown Development Authority board adopt and endorse the plan.

In my day job, my husband and I own a collision repair shop.  At the end of my term as MML president, I met a local artist who was dumpster diving at our shop looking for scrap metal to turn into ‘art.’  I had a history of what art meant to me as a kindergartener when my teacher had me lay my hand on a piece of paper and draw around my fingers and thumb.  I knew it was “art” when my mother hung it on the wall!  Well this local artist and community volunteer talked about bringing ‘art” into our great downtown.  Our city council embraced the idea, and the Brighton Biennial was a culmination of what we at the city had been working on.  Chido Johnson “ Bob” (I am the one with the hair)

Check back tomorrow to hear Kate’s ideas on promoting your community through public art displays.

You may contact Kate Lawrence at 810-227-0463 or LawrenceK@brightoncity.org.

Tuesday

March 4, 2008

Promoting Your Community through Public Art Displays

The Brighton Biennial is a program that was administered by the Brighton Mayors Commission on Art in Public Places.  Its goal is to enhance the quality of life in Brighton through exposure to outdoor sculpture.

Yesterday, I talked about that community volunteer that was looking for used sheet metal.  Well John Soave was very instrumental in securing 27 artists to display/loan their work for a two-year period.  These artists are well known in their field.  They knew they had an opportunity to show their work, perhaps sell their pieces, and in general make the community aware of the many talents that are right in our back yard.  Many community members were excited, and we had many volunteers donate blood, sweat, and tears along with countless hours to get this Biennial off the ground.  Imagine that an “Art Museum” drops down from the sky.  However, there are no traditional walls that most museums have.  We had an outdoor art museum.  It injected new life and social recreational interest.  It got people talking.  Our local paper of record also embraced this “outdoor art museum,” and even had a contest on the communities “favorite” piece.

The opinions that were expressed all had to do with whether or not the community liked any given piece.  This generated exactly what we were trying to do—create interest and get people to Brighton just to see what others were talking about.  We had “feet on the street.”  Art is definitely an interpretation.

Ray Katz “Evolution One”

Check back tomorrow to hear Kate’s thoughts on a personal art experience of a young man.

You may contact Kate Lawrence at 810-227-0463 or LawrenceK@brightoncity.org.

Wednesday

March 5, 2008

Art Is an Inspiration

The Brighton Biennial inspired a young boy named Austin, and in turn he has inspired us.  Allow me to tell you a heart-warming story of how a young man’s life changed due to the Brighton Biennial.  The family of Austin Smith, a 9-year-old boy with autism, noticed a change in him when they discovered the many sculptures that adorn our downtown.

Austin and his family, along with his physician, came to our City Council meeting and discussed the positive impact the Brighton Biennial had on Austin.  He can name each and every piece, each artist, and where they are located.  He has taken a photograph of each piece in every season and made a scrapbook out of it.  There was one piece in particular created by Piet Lindhout of Lindhout & Associates called “The Bird,” that caught the heart of Austin.  A fundraiser has been ongoing to purchase the piece and keep it in the collection.

When you sit back and analyze the positive impact that this project has created, it helps you realize that it is well worth the time and effort. 

Below, you will find copies of articles written about Austin and the Brighton Biennial.

Check back tomorrow to hear Kate’s ideas on “What’s Art Got To Do With It.”

You may contact Kate Lawrence at 810-227-0463 or LawrenceK@brightoncity.org

Thursday

March 6, 2008

What’s Art Got To Do With It

I’ll tell you what “art” has to do with it!  Spend some time looking at some Georgia O’Keefe, Ansel Adams, Diego Rivera, or some photography by Alfred Stieglitz.  That’s what arts got to do with it!  These artists and pieces will give the amateur artist something to aspire to.  For the rest of us, it can take our brain out of its comfort zone and send our mind on a journey where it never may have been before.

Whether you add sculptures in your community, have art on the beach like the City of St. Joseph, or are fortunate enough to have art museums that grace your city, you will never know what such an adventure can do for you.  It brings the community together.

Jay Holland, Artist with his “Decision Pending”

Check back tomorrow to hear Kate’s views on “That’s A Wrap.”

You may contact Kate Lawrence at 810-227-0463 or LawrenceK@brightoncity.org.

Friday

March 7, 2008

“That’s A Wrap”

 I was honored to share our story and highlight the great City of Brighton for you this week.  This project could not have happened without the countless hours of work from our volunteer (did I say volunteer?) Curator John Sauve.  Thanks John!

As we near the end of the first Biennial, we prepare for our next set of sculptures.  Our city recently adopted an Art & Culture Ordinance.  One of the objectives and purpose is to provide promotional and educational activities to increase the public’s awareness of the necessity and desirability of the fine arts, performing arts, crafts and culture, particularly as they may be beneficial to the development of downtown Brighton.

This amazing project has taken a life of its own.  We now have business owners and homeowners placing sculptures, and incorporating art into their site plans.  Don’t be afraid of implementing something new and creative.  Create something that gives your community a sense of place.  Enjoy! 
 

Doug Gruizenga, Artist “Winter 05”

Robert Sestock, Artist “Logic”

You may contact Kate Lawrence at 810-227-0463 or LawrenceK@brightoncity.org.

Check back on Monday to hear from Mayor Al McGheehan of the City of Holland.