Green Lake Township recently acquired 14 aluminum sculptures from the family of a late local artist and will shared in the community.
His sculptures used to be in front of his studio, Birdlip Bay, along M-137 in Interlochen.
There’s an aluminum ostrich, giant wheels and gears, massive blooming flowers and more.
Now, the sculptures are behind Green Lake Township hall.
In February, the township approached Gruizenga's family to purchase the sculptures.
Supervisor Marvin Radtke said the family was happy to keep his artwork in the place he called home.
“They did have another offer from a downstate gallery," Radtke said. "But we worked with them a little bit and they’d like to see the sculptures be local; kept local."
After Gruizenga died last year, the township and the Interlochen Downtown Development Authority each spent about $42,000 to buy the works.
Radtke knew Gruizenga well and said he spent a lot of time with him.
“Doug was very passionate and anything he did he put his personality into this," Radtke said. "Knowing him and looking at these sculptures each one of these has its own little personality quirks."
This week, the township formed an application committee to allow people to temporarily host the sculptures on their properties.
The Interlochen Library and Fire Department have already expressed interest.
Eventually, they want the sculptures to be on public display throughout the township as part of a long-term plan for community improvements.
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