Painting by Mia Echlin

Painting of a musician playing the piano. The piano is vibrant red and orange, while the background is a contrasting shade of blue.

This work by UMich junior Mia Echlin is a print of original acrylic on canvas. It shows a student playing the piano, and they appear to be completely lost in their music and art. It is part of the “No Strings” exhibit, where student artists illustrate quotes from Guaranteed Income to Grow (an Ann Arbor pilot program) recipients about the impact of no-strings-attached monthly financial support.

The vastness of the piano, the focus on the musician’s face, and the warm color scheme all helps bring the viewer into the musician’s world. At this moment, the piano and music are all that matters, and the musician has been brought in by the opportunity to be creative and make music. The quote this piece was based upon mentions how the safety net provided by the GIG A2 program has allowed the recipient to generate income through their creativity - for example by writing sheet music. The program allowed this individual to work on music projects that they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

The “No Strings” exhibition features student artists set to quotes from guaranteed income recipients about what the GIG A2 money meant to them. You can learn more about the exhibition here. View the six “No Strings” student works, including this one on the first floor of the Michigan Union, across from the Michigan Room.