Mary Jo Mensing Leaves Legacy Gift to TCA

Mary Jo Mensing was a dedicated and passionate member of the Tecumseh community throughout her entire lifetime. She was also an avid supporter of the arts, and specifically Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA).  When she passed away in May 2019, Mary Jo wished the arts to remain a vital part of the Tecumseh community, which is why she left a Legacy Gift to the theater.

Mary Jo Mensing’s gift to Tecumseh Center for the Arts will allow the theater to move forward with Phase 2 of the Art | Music | Sculpture Park located on the theater property. The Mary Jo Mensing Sculpture Garden, a memorial tribute to Charles, Hope and Mary Jo Mensing, will be unveiled during the summer of 2021 and will feature landscaping, flower beds, and community created sculptures. An official ribbon cutting is being planned for June 2021.

“Mary Jo Mensing and her parents, Charles Henry and Hope (Hand) Mensing, were contributing members to the theater since its beginning,” stated TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore. “It is incredibly humbling to receive this gift on behalf of the theater and create The Mary Jo Mensing Sculpture Garden in memory of Mary Jo and her parents.”

Tecumseh Center for the Arts is currently working with F & S Landscape Inc. of Tecumseh to create the master plan for the new sculpture garden. The theater is also seeking artists who are interested in creating sculptures, benches, and pieces of art to be displayed in the outdoor sculpture garden.  Anyone interested in creating a sculpture for The Mary Jo Mensing Sculpture Garden should contact TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore at 517.423.6617, email [email protected] or download the Sculpture Submission Form on the TCA website at www.TheTCA.org.

Founded in 1981, Tecumseh Center for the Arts is a vital part of the artistic culture in Tecumseh, Michigan. The TCA is a 572-seat, fully equipped indoor performance facility that provides a wide variety of events that light up the stage. Tecumseh Center for the Arts aims to be a contributing entity of influence toward the creation of artistic direction for the City of Tecumseh through both the performing and visual arts.