In an effort to get more people in tune with their musical side, public pianos are expected to be placed around International Falls and Ranier.
Five pianos are expected to be hand painted by students May 24 to be placed at Ranier Park, the dock at the Spruce Street landing, City Beach and Backus Community Center.
The Ranier City Council in February approved a motion allowing the Ranier Recreation Club to seek grants from Koochiching Community Development Association to fund the instruments.
The Ranier “Keys to the City” project would place three pianos in public spaces for anyone to play. A similar project, the “Play Me, I’m Yours” project places painted pianos in public spaces worldwide for anyone to play.
A grant of $3,175 was given to the rec club by KCDA for the three pianos and two additional pianos were donated by community members, according to Lindsey Goulet, rec club board member.
“Through partnerships with the local art and music community, the Keys to the City program will help to promote and bring together different artists, various groups and enable individuals to feel part of something,” Goulet said.
To make the pianos more touchable, approachable and playable, local students will be asked to participate in a May 24 event in the parking lot at Backus Community Center to paint the instruments with a theme reflective of the area.
“We will be dividing the pianos by grades from pre-school to eighth grade,” said Denise Kulig, Northland Art Society member. Art society members will mentor children as they put their creative sides to work painting the pianos.
“We would also like some older students in ninth grade on up to come out and help with the smaller children,” Kulig added. “This would be a great event for art students and students going into the education field.”
Any and all students are welcome to participate in the painting event which is expected to begin at 9 a.m. May 24. A free lunch provided by the local Lion’s Club will be available for the hungry artists.
Ranier Mayor Dennis Wagner said once the pianos are installed, they are available for anyone and everyone.
“They become a blank canvas for public creativity,” he said. “Maybe a piano, I thought, could be a catalyst for connecting people and starting conversations about how they can make the community better together.”
