OKEMOS - The community was invited to the Marketplace on the Green for a special sculpture ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 19th.

The ceremony began at 11:30 am with several Meridian Township officials to show their support, including the CEO and president of Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) Bob Tresize, who spoke with everyone in attendance. Meridian Township chose artist Dane Porter of Dane Porter Art Studio to enhance the recently updated Marketplace on the Green pavilion with a $10,000 Public Art Grant from LEAP with support from the PNC Foundation. The Meridian Economic Development Corporation contributed an additional $5,000 towards the project for Porter to design, fabricate and install a new metal art sculpture titled “SOW”. The goal of the piece is to be a source of pride for the citizens and community while complementing the existing atmosphere with inspiration from the farmer’s market’s local produce, growth, and nature.

HOMTV had the privilege to speak with Porter, “Today’s event was great. I’m definitely honored to be chosen for the opportunity. When I received the grant, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be, but knew it was going to represent nature and something to do with the farmers' market nature and growth. The piece itself is a design I’m very proud of.”

Porter hopes his art piece he created will open opportunities, not only for himself, but other artists in the community.