City of Lansing Announces 2026 Arts Impact Project
$75,000 awarded for interactive ‘Turnabout Folly’ in Marshall Park

 Today, Mayor Andy Schor announced the awardee for the 2026 City of Lansing Arts Impact Project. The project is a component of the City of Lansing Arts and Culture Grant Program, which awards thousands of dollars in funds each year to area arts and culture organizations.

The 2026 Arts Impact grant has been awarded to Barbara Pearsall and Michelle Hinojosa for an interactive installation, “Turnabout Folly,” to be located in Marshall Park.

The concept calls for a round, rotating “stage” encircled by three concentric rings of abstract, brightly painted walls, designed to invite movement, exploration, and creativity for visitors of all ages. As visitors enter and turn the central “stage,” the vibrantly colored environment shifts, unveiling new patterns and perspectives through colorful, ever-changing abstractions.

Openings of varying shapes and heights are cut into each wall, inviting playful glimpses into the dynamic interior and framing striking views of the park at every rotation. Each ring features distinct, large-scale abstract images in vivid, lively colors, designed to energize and visually activate the setting.

“Public art in Lansing is crucial to keep our city and neighborhoods vibrant. Residents can take pride in a city that shows its values through arts, and I am so pleased that we are able to fund this project,” Mayor Schor stated. “It’s an honor to announce Turnabout Folly as this year’s Arts Impact awardee. This unique art piece will enhance a city park, providing an incredible piece of art for families and visitors to interact with there. I really hope visitors to Marshall Park take some time to visit this piece and see the work up close.”

To ensure accessibility for all, the structure will be sited at ground level, allowing easy entry for individuals with mobility devices. Wide openings between the rings are specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair access. The rotation mechanism has been engineered to ensure smooth, controlled movement for all users. While the installation encourages interactive, creative engagement (and is not classified as a playground), the artists worked with a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) to ensure it exceeds safety standards.

“As arts educators, Turnabout Folly is our vision for public parks as vibrant, hands-on spaces for creative learning. By turning Marshall Park into an open classroom, we invite everyone to experience art through play, movement, and discovery. This project redefines where and how learning and creativity happen—making art part of everyday life, accessible to all, and woven into the heart of our community,” stated project artists Barbara Pearsall and Michelle Hinojosa.

This installation is designed to welcome all ages into imaginative, active play after school, on weekends, or during community events, while parents and caregivers can relax, picnic, or enjoy programming nearby. The visually shifting environment can be activated by local theater groups, school classes, and community organizations for storytelling, performances, and collaborative art-making—ensuring meaningful engagement across generations.

The Arts Impact Grant is facilitated by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

“The City of Lansing Arts Impact Project is such a great program, as it gives all residents an opportunity to present a public art project idea and work with area artists to bring that idea to life,” said Meghan Martin, Arts Council of Greater Lansing executive director. “This year’s project is interactive and encourages play and creative movement, and we are excited to see the ways in which the community engages and responds,” Martin said. “We are proud to be partners with the City and to be administrators for this creative public art project.”

Past Arts Impact Projects include “Etched in Metal, Written in Stone” sculpture and Old Town history installation led by Redhead Creative; “Lansing Shaped” mural project by artist Dustin Hunt of Muralmatics; the “Michigan Women Walls of Fame Project” in Stabenow Park by artist Tea Brown; “Mother Tree” sculpture in Hunter Park by artist Ivan Iler; “Shiawassee Street Mosaic Tile Project” led by artist Alexandra Leonard; “Below the Stacks Mural Festival” led by All of the Above Hip Hop Academy and Muralmatics; “Encompass Lansing” a Southwest Lansing Town Square Sculpture project by artists David Such and Fred Hammond; “Terra Forms” a lighting installation led by Lansing Public Media Center; and “Portrait of a Dreamer” sculpture on Museum Drive by artist Ivan Iler.