TECUMSEH, Michigan (WTVG) – The Art Trail is a big tourism draw for downtown Tecumseh. That’s why when something happens to one of the pieces, organizers call it criminal.
“Vandalism is vandalism,” said Kelly Jo Gilmore, Economic Development Director for the City of Tecumseh. “We don’t want to see writings on fence posts or on buildings or on pieces of art.”
At about 2:48 PM Saturday, April 20, 2024, security video shows someone using chalk to deface the sculpture called “Silverback.” That graffiti is not permanent, but Gilmore said it sends the wrong message either way.
“Some would say that it was just chalk and it washed off. I know that I personally have cleaned it off twice now, trying to get all of the residue of the chalk off because that specific sculpture was not intended for anybody to write or chalk on. And I think it creates a bigger dialogue about what role we do as a city about protecting these pieces and looking after them and letting the artist know that we will be on their side and make sure that their art is protected here in Tecumseh,” explained Gilmore.
The words themselves, she added, were not offensive, but they were written on a sculpture valued at $8,000. Tecumseh Police, who posted the video on Facebook, wrote, “The City of Tecumseh will not tolerate vandalism and subjects involved in this type of activity will prosecuted.”
Gilmore said she has spoken with the artist and the coordinator of the piece, Midwest Sculpture Initiative. “Silverback” and 21 other installations will remain part of the Art Trail this year.
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