My City March 2023

P roducer. Novelist. Writer. Executive Director. These are just a few of the titles held by Joseph Schipani who is well known in Greater Flint. He is most known for his passion for helping improve Flint and surrounding communi ties. "I enjoy doing things to make Flint better and putting smiles on people's faces," he shares. Schipani and his partner Phillip Barnhart moved to Flint from the Metro Detroit area in early 2007. "I love Flint!" he exclaims. "We have been here for 16 years and it feels like home." After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design at UM-Flint, he then continued his education at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning a Master of Public Administration degree. When he came to Flint, Schi pani became instantly involved in making it a better place, working very closely and passionately with the city’s robust artist community. He is Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project (FPAP), and has been an involved advocate since its inception in 2013. His work with the FPAP Mural Project has included spending much time going to neighborhoods looking for ways to beautify abandoned buildings, finding spaces for murals and artists to paint them. The project has benefited both the city and the many artists who have contributed their talents. "We’ve transformed blight into something beautiful until a

WE’VE TRANS FORMED BLIGHT INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL UNTIL A PERMANENT SOLUTION COMES ALONG," - Joseph Schipani

permanent solution comes along," he notes. The Mural Project is still ongoing with more than 300 beauti ful and thought-provoking pieces now completed throughout the City of Flint and connecting cities. "Our goal was to get people to cross borders and check out the murals that have already been completed," Schipani explains.

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