Artist Wendy Shaft Chosen for “Art Moves REO” First 2026 Installation

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) announces the first installation of 2026 rotating digital art for the “Art Moves REO” program at its REO Town Central Substation. The work, created by Greater Lansing artist Wendy Shaft, was recently installed at the W. Malcolm X St. and S. Washington Ave. structure in REO Town.

The “Art Moves REO” program was launched in 2022 in partnership with the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and REO Town Commercial Association, and including this new work, has featured the work of six area artists on the Central Substation. The new work was chosen from 28 submissions received through a call to artists by the Arts Council for new or previously created art.

“This partnership with BWL and REO Town is such a perfect collaboration,” said Meghan Martin, Arts Council executive director. “The project allows us to work together with our area artists to display their work in a highly visible area as a representation of the creativity that is here.”

Over the years, multiple installations have beautified the Central Substation while also adding vibrancy to REO Town. “We have seen so much fantastic art by our local artists, and the project highlights that art for not only the community, but also those visiting our region,” Martin said.

A panel of representatives from BWL, the City of Lansing, REO Town Commercial Association, and the Arts Council chose the work best suited for the space based on artistic merit, creativity, location representation, and visual appeal. The chosen work was printed on vinyl and was recently installed at the Central Substation.

“The ‘Art Moves REO’ project and the opportunities it has provided area artists over the years is extremely important to us,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “The Central Substation is the perfect home for public art that brings a vibrancy and excitement to REO Town and the region, and we’re proud to be a part of that effort,” Peffley said.

The new work by Shaft is a tribute to indigenous ways and connection to the rivers. “I am so honored that my work ‘Fire Sturgeon,’ was chosen for this project,” said artist Wendy Shaft. “REO Town is where the Red Cedar River flows into the Grand River. The rivers were routes for transportation and were fished by the indigenous people, and the sturgeon were integrated into their spiritual beliefs. ‘Fire Sturgeon’ is a respectful tribute to the Three Fires Confederacy: Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes who were here first,” Shaft said.

To learn more about the “Art Moves REO” project (#ArtMovesREO) and other creative placemaking and public art opportunities, contact the Arts Council’s executive director, Meghan Martin, at meghan@lansingarts.org.

Past “Art Moves REO” artists include Dane and Caitlin Vermeulin (Michigan Imagery), Marissa Tawney Thaler, Theresa Dunn, Theresa Rosado, and Caitlin Anders Schneider.