10. 11. 12

3D Printed Planter Sculptures

By Citizens Robotics

NW Corner of Inches St. & NB Gratiot

This was our first venture into 3D printing. Part of the MCEP Pollinator Park, these three 3D-printed sculptures create an impression of motion when viewed from a distance. While visiting the park, be sure to feel the unique textures.  This year, we plan to add vines to the planters. If you have experience with container gardening or have plants to contribute and would like to help, please let us know.

Citizen Robotics, a pioneering 3D printing company, aims to reduce the cost of housing construction by adopting advanced robotic construction techniques. They raise awareness about the possibilities of automation and showcase innovative solutions from around the world. Through our training center, we bring these cutting-edge technologies to the community, enabling people to build more efficiently using less labor and fewer materials. We are committed to upskilling today’s construction workforce for the future by providing training and hands-on opportunities in new housing developments.

To learn more about Citizen Robotics, visit their website at www.citizenrobotics.org and follow them on Facebook at Citizen Robotics.

Stop by our office at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens to pick up a brochure featuring all our sculptures. Brochures are also available at the Bonior Tree and Pollinator Park. With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a walk and explore the park.

If you would like to support our efforts, please consider sending a small tax-deductible contribution to help fund the next show scheduled for October 2026-2027.

Be sure to like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99 and visit our website at www.mcepmacomb.com

Spring is coming and MCEP is looking for some help with our Many gardens.  This help can come in 2 forms.

Volunteer Gardener

This is a person who takes on a designated area and gets it ready for the spring and maintains it throughout the growing season.  The area is as big or small as the volunteer wants.  We provide the plants and materials needed.  You do the work on your own schedule. We have been lucky to have a few skilled folks make this work and keep our gardens trash free.  Please join us.  If you are unable to continue mid-season, just inform us and we can follow up.

Paid Gardener – New Position

This is a new position this year.  We need to develop gardeners for work that needs to be completed and maintained throughout the growing season. Beginning pay will be $20 per hour.

Conditions:

• Individuals must be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to work on the ground
• Be physically able to weed, prune, build and rebuild gardens.
• Work at least 10 hours a week.  You will choose your hours between 4 PM and dusk, Monday through Thursday.  You may work up to 20 hours.
• Know or learn to distinguish plants from seedlings to mature plants in our various gardens. We will teach you how to do that and introduce you to our plans for the garden.
• Know how different plants spread. Know how to space plantings and weed between them.  Our gardens are chemical free.
• Keep our gardens trash free.

We will start in April with a weather dependent spring cleanup.  You may start when you are able.  This can be a spring or summer job, or both.  You will work as an independent contractor and be paid every two weeks.  Contact us at 586.783.6008 with questions or to request an application.

The Bee Reader is by the Nordin Brothers who are Macomb County natives. Their rendition of a bee is most inviting and provides surprises for those who will examine the sculpture. The welcoming smile of the bee once opened by you will produce small paperback books for the taking. These offerings change monthly and are a welcoming gift for young and adult readers. One book is offered each month in the young and adult category. The books celebrate the seasons of the year with puzzles, workbooks and small pollinating chapters. Check it out any season. The Bee Reader is always smiling at you and inviting you to read a little.

https://www.detroitdesigncenter.com/ and at https://www.facebook.com/nordinbrothers

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. Spring is right around the corner and it’s a great time to get out and enjoy a walk.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.

Be sure to like us on https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99

6. Butterfly on Milkweed
7. Hawk Moth
8. Bee

By Kyle Burnett

Location:  NW Corner of Inches St. & NB Gratiot

Hosted and Owned by Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership

These are the three sculptures completed by Kyle Burnett for the MCEP Pollinator Park.

The “Butterfly on Milkweed” was created by Kyle Burnett of Battle Creek, Michigan. A young artist, craftsman who divided his time between both pursuits. MCEP found him by viewing his creations at the Sterling Heights Nature Center where they are still on display. MCEP liked his design and asked him for some drawings for a yet to happen Pollinator  Park. His work became the first to be displayed in the new pocket park which at the time was only a vacant lot on Northbound Gratiot. The sculpture  has an inviting seat to make you a part of the experience. This was the first piece ever commissioned by MCEP. The piece was paid for by MCEP and a grant from Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, now known as Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). Thanks to Kyle for his work and MACC for their financial help. 

The pocket park was named Pollinator Park, and we wanted to include other pollinators as sculptures. The Hawk Moth and Bee sculptures were great additions, and they also have seats where one can be photographed with each pollinator.  MCEP likes the artist’s reuse of materials, bringing to life recycled items.

Check out other work from Kyle Burnett at: https://www.facebook.com/kyleburnettart

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens, and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny, winter days where a walk can be invigorating.

If you want to support our efforts, please send  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in  October 2026 – 2027.

Be sure to like us on https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99 and check out our website at www.mcepmacomb.com

Carlos Nielbock – Award-Winning Master Craftsman

Carlos Nielbock is a renowned Master Craftsman, architectural metalworker, and preservationist based in Detroit, Michigan. With decades of experience, Nielbock is celebrated for his unparalleled skill in restoring and fabricating architectural and historic metalwork. His work fuses traditional craftsmanship with visionary design, often drawing on his German apprenticeship training and deep reverence for historical preservation.

As the Founder and Director of C.A.N. Art Handworks, Nielbock leads a premier metalworking studio that offers expert services in the restoration and conservation of architectural and historic metalwork, including sculptures, monuments, and commemorative plaques. C.A.N. Art Handworks is widely respected for its commitment to excellence, precision, and the preservation of cultural heritage through metal artistry.

Past projects include the restoration of iconic public artworks such as the Spirit of Detroit, the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, and numerous other large-scale sculptures and civic monuments across the country.

Working closely with architects, artists, municipalities, and preservationists, C.A.N. Art Handworks specializes in cast metal restoration, metal replication, pattern making, and custom fabrication. The studio seamlessly integrates historic preservation techniques with contemporary design needs—bridging the past and present to deliver enduring works of art and architecture.

You can check out more of Carlos’ work at www.canarthandworks.com and check out his Facebook page Detroit Windmill.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are now plenty of sunny days where a walk can be invigorating.

If you want to support our efforts, please send  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in  October 2026 – 2027 and be sure to like us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99 

165 S. Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Dear Supporter,

We are thankful for all the support you have given us over the years for each program we do, and we are thankful for the support you have shown for the sculpture project.

Join us as we raise funds for the 2026-27 sculpture show at Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef Restaurant on Saturday, March 14, 2026.  The order form is attached below. Thank you again for your continued support!

If you have already sent in your check, we thank you and will look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Louie’s Take Out Menu_14MAR26

The Bee Reader sculpture at the evolving MCEP Pollinator Park was installed in July of 2024.  It will be open to extend gifts of small paperback books for young readers and mature readers. Each month the Bee Reader will have two paperback books available. One geared for younger readers and one for mature readers. Please come and check it out. Each month’s selection will be available on the MCEP website with the book’s description.  If for some reason the books are not there just call us on 586 783 6008 and we will replenish the stock.

 Our Bee Reader selections for March are:

What Noise Do I Make?

Brian McLachlan

We all know dogs bark woof and cats mew meow–but what noises do ostriches or peacocks or kookaburras make? Flip though this wild collection of animals to guess, discover, and delight in the sounds made by beasts big and small. Ages 2-5. Fully illustrated in color.

Birds & Blooms in Every Season

Publisher: Readers Digest

 Bird-watch without leaving home–simply page through and enjoy these beloved feathered fliers all year long! Provides trivia, tips for seasonal birding, and more than 300 photos of avians, including mourning doves, finches, cardinals, owls, and hummingbirds.

This is the first of 3 sculptures by this artist in our show this year.

Artist’s Statement:  During my 35-year career I have worked in the welding field working with metals.  I occasionally welded gifts for family members and friends but basically viewed welding as a job but nothing more.

My perception changed on March 10, 2008, when my wife and I were notified that our only son was murdered in California on Venice Beach.  With the stress from this along with the stress from work…sleep was nearly impossible, so after a while I ended up in the shop during those restless nights instead.

It was then that “Welding” began to ease some of the grief and my creativity was awakened and I began to transform into an artist and metal sculpture and have been creating non-stop ever since.

As I began to create metal art, I found that I wanted to create unique pieces of functional and non-functional art.

The best thing is being able to create something out of nothing, and making people happy with my art, helping people to see outside the box, is the best thing about being an artist.

My pieces are great for the environment and have been constructed mostly with approximately 85% re-claimed materials”

You can check out Richard Morgan’s art on his website:  https://richardalanstudios.com

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are now plenty of sunny days where a walk can be invigorating.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027 and be sure to like us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99 

Mike Sohikian, a retired ironworker has been a member of the Bridge and Structural Ironworkers Local 55 for 37 years.  He has had a lifetime of love and appreciation for art, but didn’t begin his art career until 1995. Since then, he has garnered acclaim and numerous prestigious awards and recognition for his paintings and sculptures.  Sohikian is best known for taking salvaged steel to new heights with impressive and innovative concepts.  He assembles industrial materials as well as reworks the materials into fascinating forms. 

This sculpture is owned by Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. May we all try to do better. This is one of the first permanent purchases for the community.

Mike lives in Genoa, OH.  Mike has 4 sculptures in our program this year.  When we select the sculptures, we do not know who the artist is; just that we like the sculpture.

Check out some of his work at

https://www.facebook.com/russel.sohikian

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny, winter days where a walk can be invigorating.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.

Be sure to like us on Facebook.