What’s Happening: To celebrate 100 years of service, the
Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant unveiled a new community gift: a music sculpture named Kinderbells. On Aug.18, the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant held a ribbon cutting in partnership with the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce for the art sculpture to honor “the spirit of Rotary—service above self—and highlight the importance of public art and enhancing our shared spaces,” says the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant. The sculpture was originally installed on July 21.
What’s Being Featured: Designed to engage the senses, the piece features bells that invite visitors to enjoy a multi-sensory musical and visual experience.
The interactive Kinderbells sculpture weighs 800 pounds and stands over five feet tall and around seven feet wide.
Kinderbells is constructed from recycled oxygen tanks and is “set on a concrete foundation provided by Lakeshore Construction and facilitated by the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation,” says the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant. “A bronze plaque commemorates the Rotary Club’s centennial milestone, ensuring the story of this special project is preserved for future generations.”
About the Artist: Kinderbells was created by sculptor and musician Tom Kaufmann.
The Traverse City-based artist first constructed the original Kinderbell sculpture in 2013 as an ArtPrize entry, where it placed in the top 100 of over 1,500 submissions. Since then, Kinderbell has brought its interactive charm to several well-known communities, including Traverse City, San Jose, Charlevoix, Grand Rapids, Caledonia, Grand Ledge, San Diego and now Mt. Pleasant.
Where’s it Located Locally? The music sculpture is located in Nelson Park on Broadway Street in Mt. Pleasant, near the Chippewa River and the Rotary covered bridge.
According to the Rotary, Kinderbells brings new life and energy to the community space and is a must-see for anyone strolling the trails along the Chippewa River or walking through downtown Mt. Pleasant, reflecting the club’s deeper legacy of sustainability, creativity and community connection.
What They’re Saying: The spirited, flower-like musical installation “offers a unique experience for all ages—a place to reflect, play and be inspired by the power of community,” says the Rotary Club. “The piece not only honors Rotary’s enduring legacy but also emphasizes sustainability, creativity and the connections that bind [the community] together.”
“This project started about two years ago as our club began planning for our centennial. Rotarians are consistently working to make meaningful contributions to the communities where we live and work. It’s truly a joy to see the sculpture in its new home in Nelson Park, and we’re excited to celebrate this vibrant new addition with our community [in the months] and years to come,” Kelly Hudson, Rotarian and former president of the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant says.
About The Rotary: Chartered in 1925, the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant is recognized for its service on the local, national and international levels, supporting many nonprofit organizations and community-focused projects through grants and other initiatives. From local literacy efforts to global humanitarian aid, the Rotary Club remains committed to serving underserved populations.
As the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant embarks on its next century of service, connection and creativity—symbolized by Kinderbells—the group invites community members to get involved. Those interested are welcome to attend the club’s weekly meetings on Monday at 11:45 a.m. at the Mountain Town Station for lunch. More information on the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club can be found
here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.