LANSING, Mich. — With its collection of hand-painted surfaces, intricate architecture and multiple works of art that line the interior of its iconic dome, the Michigan State Capitol Building is a place that not only holds the seat of state government, but inspires a sense of pride for people like Barb Thumudo.
"We are unique in the fact that we have nine acres of hand-painted surfaces in the building," said Thumudo, who works as the assistant director for capitol facilities. "There's really nothing in this capital that hasn't been painted by an artist's brush."
But with its beauty comes a need for upkeep.
"Because of all of that decorative paint, it's constant maintenance," Thumudo said.
More than 150 feet in the air at its highest, this is the first scaffolding in the Capitol rotunda since a previous restoration that took place between 1989 and 1992. It's now allowing workers to restore surfaces that had gone untouched and dusted over for decades.
"We are just wrapping up," Thumudo said. "We're really pleased with the end result. [The project] should be done- we're actually, next week, going to start taking, dismantling the scaffold. So, it's moving right along; we're ahead of schedule. So, we're very pleased with that as well."
As they plan to wind down the project, 13 ON YOUR SIDE was able to get a close-up look and a chance to see the art from just feet away as part of tours hosted for members of the media.
But aside from the art and architecture's detail stands the stories that make the art and this project important to many.
"Our allegories - or sometimes referred to as 'muses' - are women that are symbols of things important to the state of Michigan when we did the construction of the Capitol," Thumudo said. "So, they represent things like art, agriculture, law, science, justice, industry, shipping and education."
The project was slated to cost $3 million. However, due to it now being ahead of schedule, it is expected to cost less than that original budget.
With the completion in sight, the stories of the capitol and its art are set to continue inspiring.
"We hope that [visitors] have the reaction that they always have: that it's a breathtaking space, and it's an inspiring space," Thumudo said. "And one of the things that we actually always tell our school tours when they lay down on the floor and look 160 feet up to the stars is to think about the unlimited possibilities for your future and to reach for the stars. And so, we'll be happy to share that again with folks."
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