The Artist's Umbrella

07/06/2024

🚨BRANDON NAVIN DAY 7/8 CALL TO ACTION🚨

Brandon was passionate about doing good as anonymously as possible. In an era where people post every good thing they do to social media, he enjoyed things like buying a meal for a homeless person without recording it or dropping off a house plant to a friend’s house and trying to avoid their doorbell camera. He’d be on his way to a meeting and text that he’d be a couple minutes late and you’d be sure it was because he stopped to move a turtle out of the street even though he wouldn’t tell you that’s what he did.
He was affectionately known as a “kindness ninja” as he tried to be a balance in this world - not just as penance for his mistakes but also because he believed everyone would be a better version of themselves if they received a bit more kindness once in a while.

To that end, this Monday, July 8, 2024 we challenge ourselves and all of you to do a random act of kindness. Simply drop an “I will” in the comments below to commit yourself to this act in memory of a wonderful soul and his unquantifiable impact to his community. Hold yourself accountable to follow through and in doing so, may the Greater Lansing Area be a kinder place by his efforts and yours, if only just for one day.

09/23/2023

Want to support the next generation of Lansing’s musicians this weekend?

Come on out to see the kids from School of Rock LIVE

Happening right now and the vibes are just
*chef’s kiss*

07/18/2023

Big news over at our store! Like the store's page to get all the updates on how to support local artists through this endeavor

We are temporarily closed as we complete our BRAND NEW STORE FRONT buildout right across the street. So far we've completed flooring, drywall, plumbing, custom furniture builds, and some painting. We're working hard to complete all the remaining projects ASAP! Find us soon at our new home:
111.5 S Washington Square in Downtown Lansing
(one door north of our friends at Juice Nation).

Thank you to Downtown Lansing and Middle Village Micro Market for helping us learn and grow since we began this particular endeavor in March 2022. A lot has changed for us since this first photo was taken, yet we remain so fortunate to have your guidance and friendship. We also extend our love, gratitude, and well-wishes to all the Middle Village business owners. Thank you for your help and the opportunity to learn from your businesses. We look forward to seeing each of you at the Downtown Business Huddles and in your new spaces!

The Gold Mine Artpost and Michigan Gifts will return! Like and follow this page for emerging details.

07/16/2023

Come help us celebrate Brandon Navin Day at In Celebration of Brandon Navin Day at Durant Park! We’re grilling and chillin and enjoying this gorgeous weather! We’ll be here 2:00-5:00 pm!

03/06/2023

Thanks to you, the distance to our goal continues to shrink! Help us close the gap and please consider sharing if you’re unable to donate. We’re on a mission to do our part in benefiting the Greater Lansing Area. We appreciate your investment!

We are The Artist's Umbrella, an art and entertainment community … Roxy Hayes-Brown needs your support for Help The Artist's Umbrella secure a home this fall

03/03/2023

We have been busy behind the scenes, preparing for our relaunch! Thanks to the generosity of local art enthusiasts and area business partners, we have been able to fundraise ALMOST all the money we've needed to secure a permanent home for The AU and her network of endeavors. Now, we approach the final push. We are less than $1400 away and so very close to the finish line. Please consider donating any amount today and if you are unable to donate, a share is free and appreciated. Thank you! 🌂💛☂️

We are The Artist's Umbrella, an art and entertainment community … Roxy Hayes-Brown needs your support for Help The Artist's Umbrella secure a home this fall

10/10/2022

On Sunday, Oct 9, 2022, Art Attack returned to the intersection of Washington Square and Washtenaw Street in Downtown Lansing. Mila Lynn and Christina Castilla previously took it over to expertly paint an electrical box (pictured below), among many local artists this summer who decided to grace the city with their time and talent during the bulk of the artist-organized Art Attack campaign. This time, we decided to get in on the action too!
Brandon Navin and Bob Rose came up with the concept for this intersection. After Brandon’s passing, we revamped the concept to include some tributes to our dear friend. The AU’s Marigold Umbrella is featured in the center - and Bob was able to incorporate the Sunshine Yellow of our first logo into the umbrella too. There is a photo below of Brain Trust members Allison Spooner and Roxy Hayes-Brown, each painting in a different version of AU shirts. Roxy’s shirt is the decommissioned Sunshine Yellow and Allison’s shirt is our new black logo tee. She slapped down more paint than anyone and didn’t get a single drop on that shirt! The Marigold Umbrella is surrounded by instructions on the crosswalk which each include an adverb beginning with the letter “B.”
Brandon’s favorite color was blue and since his passing, we’ve found blue items in the most un-blue places. We consider them to be whispers of peace from that place just out of sight from this world we all share. We were aware that Brandon’s mother, brother, and sister-in-law would be volunteering but they surprised us with some of Brandon’s ashes to include in the art piece. When we mixed them into the black paint used for the lettering in the crosswalks, it turned bright blue and for a moment, resembled the distant galaxies in the night sky. It was a magical and thoughtful gift.
So too was the gift from Downtown Lansing Inc: the supplies needed for the installation! We were so excited to have both Cathleen Edgerly and Julie Reinhardt getting paint on their hands along side us all day. It went well with the smiles on their faces!
Special thank you to Nat Spinz, Cheyanne Britten, Josh Hayes-Brown, Cathleen Edgerly, and Ivy MH for snapping these photos while painting! And extra special thanks to all the pedestrians of Downtown who stopped to admire, inquire, share ideas, problem solve, and even lay down some paint themselves!
If you can make the time, take a walk in our bustling Downtown area, see the art piece, and if you’ve got the walk arrow and a clear intersection, tap the lettering as you cross the street. Hopefully, the love Brandon had for his city will walk with you forever after, as it does for all of us who knew him and loved him.
💕⭐️💙
P.S. Check the comments for some cool videos of the installation by Nat and Chey

10/01/2022

You probably already know about 517 Living Community NIGHT | Hawk Island County Park | 2022 happening TOMORROW NIGHT!

BUT, did you also know we're hosting an Open Mic during the event from 5:00-7:00 pm. We couldn't let a chance to honor Brandon Navin and his love for witnessing creativity go by!

Check out this clip from WILX News 10 to learn about all the amazing vendors and artists who will be at the event then come by and see us!

https://www.wilx.com/2022/09/29/517-living-host-biggest-community-night/?fbclid=IwAR1_FA2LQlYt9f-MPPOXLvNcFiNPW3Ok8R8A1B3GCkDhGU-TlMn46BaiItU

517 Living is kicking off this year’s 517 Living Community Week with an in-person celebration

09/18/2022

Just our Chief Growth Officer, Allison Spooner hanging outside Middle Village Micro Market to chat with WLNS-TV about the next big growth opportunity for the AU and The Gold Mine! Tune in at 11 to learn more!

09/17/2022

MORE GREAT NEWS!!!

Due to the response to this fundraiser and the response to recent announcements we've made on Facebook, several local art patrons and business owners have pledged funding to our cause! Because of these generous benefactors, we are lowering the crowdfunding amount by half - from $30,000 to $15,000!
Thank you to everyone who shares! Thank you to everyone who donates! Thank you for choosing to support Lansing artists and specifically, supporting our mission to help build up the Greater Lansing Area as the home of the arts!

We are The Artist's Umbrella, an art and entertainment community … Roxy Hayes-Brown needs your support for Help The Artist's Umbrella secure a home this fall