News Summary
A new art installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark, designed by artist Halima Afi Cassells, encourages recycling and highlights the significance of lake sturgeon in local ecosystems. Unveiled on August 19, the piece incorporates repurposed materials and fosters community engagement through workshops. Metroparks CEO Amy McMillan emphasized its role in promoting stewardship and education. The project seeks to raise awareness of environmental issues while inviting visitors to interact with the artwork, serving as both a visual marker and a conversation starter on conservation.
ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN – A new art installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark, unveiled on August 19, 2025, seeks to blend aesthetics with environmental awareness. Designed by Detroit-based artist Halima Afi Cassells, the installation features a large outdoor photo frame intended to promote recycling and highlight the importance of lake sturgeon in local ecosystems. Made mainly from repurposed materials collected from the park and surrounding areas of Metro Detroit, the piece serves as a striking visual marker while encouraging community engagement and visitor interaction.
Metroparks CEO Amy McMillan emphasized that this installation reflects the core values of stewardship and education within the Metroparks system. By inviting visitors to step into the frame for photo opportunities, the artwork aims to raise awareness about environmental responsibility and the health of local waterways.
This installation resulted from a collaborative effort between Huron-Clinton Metroparks and Cassells, who became a notable figure after her prior work as an Eco-Artist-in-Residence at Eliza Howell Park. Staff members were introduced to her talents during a presentation, prompting their decision to engage her for this project focused on lake sturgeon, a vital yet often overlooked species in the area.
Lake St. Clair Metropark has an educational initiative known as Sturgeon in the Classroom, which enables students to participate in the raising of juvenile sturgeon for future release into the lake. Cassells took particular interest in the lake sturgeon, considering its ancient lineage, which stretches back to the time of dinosaurs. This fascination with the species inspired her to design the installation around them.
In the creation of the artwork, Cassells actively collected plastic waste from the park to incorporate into her design, along with other found materials such as metal and glass sourced from the Detroit area. The Metroparks staff recommended using reused materials to align the project with recycling goals outlined in their Climate Action Plan and Keep it Clean campaign.
Community involvement was a significant component of the project, with three workshops allowing the public to contribute creatively. Participants utilized plastic bottles to craft elements depicting water bubbles, thereby personalizing the installation and fostering a sense of ownership among local residents.
The installation is designed not only to be visually captivating but also to encourage social media engagement and user-generated content. It strategically incorporates elements of the park’s branding while prompting discussions on conservation and environmental care. The artistic frame serves as a conversation starter regarding the impact of waste on park ecosystems, underscoring the need for responsible disposal practices.
In line with promoting sustainable practices, Metroparks has also introduced single-stream recycling bins across its parks. This initiative simplifies the recycling process for visitors, thereby furthering the goals of environmental responsibility. Artists involved in the project note that community contributions enhance its overall strength and relevance, making it a more powerful statement on environmental issues.
Cassells expressed fulfillment from conducting the workshops, particularly in her efforts to inspire young individuals to learn about their natural habitat and the importance of environmental conservation. The aim of this new installation extends beyond aesthetics; it is a call to action for the community to reflect on their environmental impacts and embrace recycling as a crucial practice.
The installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark stands as an emblem of community collaboration and environmental stewardship, encouraging visitors to engage with art, nature, and each other while fostering a culture of sustainability.
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Additional Resources
- Model D Media
- Wikipedia: Recycling
- Metroparks
- Google Search: Lake Sturgeon
- Macomb Daily
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lake Sturgeon
- Metro Mode Media
- Google News: Sturgeon in the Classroom
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