FROM ST. CLAIR SHORES greetings

Hometown Artist Selected to Paint Downtown Mural

BY ANNA SWARTZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT WHITEMAN

Can the highlights of St. Clair Shores living be summed up in one colorful collection of images? By taking input from both residents and city officials, a “Greetings from St. Clair Shores” downtown mural attempts to capture just that. Twenty-seven-year-old artist Haylie Mousseau, a lifelong resident of the city, has been creating the mural since early April. She expects the project to be complete by mid-June, weather permitting.

Partners in Public Art

The mural is made possible by Partners in Public Art (PiPA), “a collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and communities, organizations, and municipalities throughout Southeast Michigan to create community-driven, highly visible public works of art that help express the unique stories and identities of each community.”

Amy Florek, former chair of the St. Clair Shores Cool City Committee, discovered the PiPA program. With the support of the committee, Mayor Kip Walby and City Council, Florek applied on behalf of the city and was successful. Florek also recommended Mousseau for the project. The DIA then worked closely with the city and Mousseau to coordinate the mural.

“It’s really been such an exciting project to work on,” Florek says. “Seeing the mural come to life is a great way for us to celebrate the growth and beauty that the city of St. Clair Shores has to offer.”

Like a Postcard

Those driving or walking by the mural, which is situated on the side of the 22-foot-tall Ace Hardware building and overlooks Copper Hop Brewing Co.’s patio, are sure to spot iconic city landmarks. These include the gazebo at Wahby

Park; the amphitheater at Veterans Memorial, complete with a band playing inside to depict the annual Music on the Lake series; a sailboat/ sunset image that Mousseau likens to the city’s logo; 9-Mile Tower; and fireworks representing the impressive display each summer.

Mousseau describes two other important parts of the mural: “The hops are, you know, to kind of bring in the beer element. St. Clair Shores has really kind of become a destination spot for breweries. And then there's a dog because everybody in St. Clair Shores loves dogs, which is amazing. I love them too.”

Denise Pike, community development & inspections director for St. Clair Shores, describes the design as “similar to that of a postcard.” Pike continues: “So, we believe that what's included are elements that will evoke memories for both residents and for visitors. ... We're very excited about the conversations we believe the mural design will spark.”

Community Support

As Mousseau has been working on the mural, she has felt the excitement from the residents. “The community is so great and really supportive. I have a ton of people stopping by every single day.”

An event in honor of the new mural will take place at one of the city’s Social District Saturday events – the date was undecided at the time this article was published. Stay tuned to facebook.com/DowntownStClairShores for more details.

To find out more about Mousseau’s work, go to hayliemousseau.com