Project Archive

In the summer of 2025, the community came together through Public Arts Midland, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, for its 2025 community art installation, “How Does Your Garden Grow?” 5,000 wooden flowers and butterflies were painted by residents of all ages and abilities, creating a one-of-a-kind garden that now blooms in Grove Park for everyone to enjoy.

As part of Public Arts Midland’s 2025 theme, Art Grows, this project celebrates creativity, connection, and the shared expression that makes our community thrive. The goal was to make public art accessible to all by removing barriers to participation. Every flower and butterfly represents a unique voice in the community, coming together to form a beautiful symbol of growth, collaboration, and belonging.

“We wanted this project to be completely free, so everyone had the opportunity to participate,” said Dacia Parker, Public Arts Midland Committee Co-Chair. “Art has the power to connect people, and How Does Your Garden Grow? truly shows what’s possible when creativity blooms across a community.”

The installation was intentionally placed in Grove Park, a central, walkable space surrounded by neighborhoods, making it an inviting and accessible destination for both residents and visitors.

To ensure everyone across the county could participate, Public Arts Midland partnered with local organizations to distribute create kits and host paint sessions. Flower and butterfly shapes were available at:

Creative 360, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, The ROCK Center for Youth Development after school programs at Meridian, Jefferson, and Northeast Middle Schools, Midland County Educational Services Agency, Independence Village, Coleman Area Library, Serendipity Road/Joyful Tantrum/Shop with Moxie, Children’s Grief Center – Great Lakes Bay Region, Greater Midland North and Coleman Family Centers, West Midland Family Center, Dow Gardens, Adoption Option, Inc., Midland Area Youth Action Council, Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, and Midland Noon Rotary.

Community members also joined hands-on paint sessions throughout the summer at:

Two Great Lakes Loons Games (Corteva’s Inclusion Day at the Loons and Art Seen Festival Grant Night), Midland Miracle Field, 1in6 Support Mother’s Day Event, 1in6 Support Abilities Parade, Art Seen Festival at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, and Midland Area River Days.

Together, these partnerships helped engage thousands of participants across Midland County, each adding their personal touch to this community-wide masterpiece.

How Does Your Garden Grow? will remain on display at Grove Park through the week of October 20, offering a colorful reminder of what happens when creativity, community, and care take root. Stop by and see it before it comes down. If you’re interested in taking a piece of the trellises to your home or organization, please contact Creative 360 at 989-837-1885 by October 17th. 

Public Arts Midland extends heartfelt thanks to every individual, family, organization, and partner who helped this garden bloom.

Please enjoy the photo galleries below. The first is the final installation, and the second is creating and behind the scenes pictures. Use the left/right arrows to scroll through.