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Julian Van Dyke: Things Around My City

Things Around My City

An Exhibit by Julian Van Dyke

Artist Bio

Born in Benton Harbor, Mich., Julian Van Dyke was introduced to art at the age of three. His mother, a former teacher, encouraged him to draw images of Santa Claus, and ever since then, he’s had a pencil or paint brush in his hand.

As an adult, Julian moved to Lansing, Mich. where he attended Lansing Community College, taking various art classes and growing his skill. Soon he began to exhibit his work in area group shows whenever there was an opportunity.

In the late 80’s, when Old Town began its transformation to Lansing’s arts district, Julian opened his studio on Turner Street (in what is now Dreammaker Bath and Kitchen). It was then that he met Robert Busby, Terry Terry and other Old Town supporters who worked together to make Old Town the thriving, creative hub that it is today.

Currently Julian serves as artist and vice president at the newly opened Keys to Creativity, located at the Lansing Mall. Julian’s murals can be found up and down Michigan Avenue as well as in several Lansing district schools. He has exhibited at Artist-Is-In-Market at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Mich. and has been represented by Agora Gallery in Manhattan, N.Y. for the past three years. His works can also be found at Cooley Law School, The Eyde Company, Clark and Hill Law Offices and the School of Business and Engineering Building at Michigan State University.

Recently, Julian’s work was selected by the City of East Lansing for the Grove Alley Mural Project, which will be unveiled in May 2016. He is also a teaching artist, and in 2015 he was selected to participate in the Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s Artists-in-Residence program. In addition to painting, he has also authored several children’s books, including “The Things We Do at My School;” “Juneteenth, Celebrating Freedom;” and “The Music We Call Jazz” (Xlibris Publishing).

Julian always finds time to visit local schools and talk to young students as he believes that, “Art is strengthened when it’s given to our youth.” For more information visit vandykeart.com and Julian Van Dyke Facebook or contact Julian at vandykeart@hotmail.com or 517-393-5632.