When UM student artist Gillian Yerrington’s work was brought to Lansing in the summer of 2018, she did not realize the extent to which her artwork would capture the attention of the House of Representatives administrators who decide the placement of student art each year. Pictured below are photos of Gillian’s work “Finding Peace” which the House of Representatives has now purchased so that it will reside permanently in the lobby of the Anderson House Office Building for all to see as they enter the foyer. Finding Peace is a work of the heart for Gillian who described it as follows:

“I made the piece following the death of my step-father, who owned a recycling center, and gave it to my mom. He was a carpenter and we had the piece framed in one of his center’s frames. It has a lot of meaning to our family, as the title conveys. Also, as my step-father believed, every day we throw wrappers into the garbage and forget how much waste piles up. This work is supposed to be an ironic display of nature through the lens of our trash.”

UM Lansing Service Center Director, Dr. Veronica Wilkerson Johnson, who has facilitated this work with UM student artists over the years, noted that “when it was time for artworks to be returned to the 2018 artists, the House decided Gillian’s work should remain for our leaders and citizens to enjoy for years to come! The University of Michigan is proud of Gillian Yerrington and all of our artists. Also, another UM student, Paul DiStefano, whose artwork “Whirling Dynamics” was purchased by the House in 2013, is an additional UM work permanently adorning the first floor of the Anderson House Office Building. Paul’s work is another source of pride for the University of Michigan, and the UM Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design.”

View Art in the Legislature Brochure

View Art in the Legislature House Brochure

View Art in the Legislature Senate Brochure

A reception hosted by MASU and the Michigan Legislature was held on:

Wednesday, October 23rd

Senate Committee Room 1100

Mackinac Room, Anderson House Office Building 201 Townsend St.
Lansing, MI 48933

Art in the Legislature is a partnership between the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) and the Michigan Legislature to promote art in everyday life.

State Relations Officers, university art department representatives, student-artists, their families, and the public at large were invited to attend the reception where the new pieces of art were unveiled and the students were recognized.

Art in the Legislature 2019-2020

Participants in this years Art in the Legislature (pictured right) are:

• Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU)
• I’m Fine
  Stephanie Streeter, UM Flint
• Portrait of an Artist
  Christopher Wisniewski, Saginaw Valley State University
• Staged Compost
  Irene Strenski, Eastern, Michigan University
• Femme Fatale V
  Danielle Little, Central Michigan University
• Framework Grid
  Nicholas Pobutsky, UM Dearborn
• Country Fall
  Lavonaa Lynn Horton, Wayne State University
• Up North Connections: The Mackinac Bridge as seen through a Crystal Ball
  Ana Grace Dykstra, Grand Valley State University
• Vogue Magazine Cover (Marchesa) Volume 1-3
  Dominique Alyse McNeal, Ferris State University/Kendall
• Traffic
  Timothy Griffin, Central Michigan University
• Deterioration
  Riley Parrish, UM Ann Arbor
• Sunset Over Burton
  Atshata Kharkar holding framed photo of the late Atharva Kharkar, UM Ann Arbor

From left to right: Akshata Kharkar, Atharva’s sister; Sunil Kharkar, his grandmother; Shivani Kharkar, his mother; and Prafulla Kharkar, his father

Atharva Kharkar loved the Burton Tower at the University of Michigan. As a student artist at the Stamps School of Art & Design, he was immersed in creating images that reflect the essence and emotion of structures, and felt that the Burton Tower was particularly endearing. His sister, Akshata Kharkar, who spoke on Atharva’s behalf at the 2019 Art in the Legislature Reception on October 23, 2019, said her brother Atharva loved his artistic work, and was tirelessly committed to always getting it exactly right. She said that he would have so enjoyed seeing his piece, “Sunset Over Burton”, displayed at the Anderson House Office Building. On May 29, 2019 Atharva provided the following description of his work:

“The Burton Bell Tower is one of The University of Michigan’s most iconic landmarks. This piece was intended to highlight the beauty and extravagance of the bell tower during a sunset.”

Sadly, as his father Prafulla Kharkar related, Atharva was diagnosed with Leukemia on June 22nd, and passed away on July 6, 2019. The Michigan Legislature honors this young UM artist and his family, and his work will be remembered always. “Sunset Over Burton” will be displayed for the next year in the Anderson House Office Building, on the 10th floor. All are welcome to visit.