A local artist has decided to take the idea behind family quilts and heirlooms and weave a history encompassing the greater Lansing community instead.

Nancy McRay, a fiber artist, is putting together a room-sized tapestry she hopes will reflect society as it is today. The tapestry will be made up of materials that the public will bring into what McRay calls the “The Art Apartment” on 210 Abbott Road, for her to weave.

McRay asked that people deliver the materials on Jan. 7. All this month the artist will work on the tapestry until Feb. 4, when the room will be on display for everyone to see.

“I’ve gotten beads, newspaper clippings, fabric from a woman who says that it was from her past life and that she has changed since then, and a bandanna from a gentleman who ran with the bulls in Spain,” McRay said.

However, McRay does ask that people donate materials they don’t want returned.

With each of the materials brought in by the public they are asked to share a story that goes along with it. The stories will be recorded in McRay’s journal, without identification by name.

With no prior knowledge of the size of the materials, it is unknown what the finished product will look like or just how big the tapestry will be.

McRay said she hopes people will use their imaginations when choosing their objects for the tapestry. Even 3-D objects are welcome.

“I use the clear plastic bags that my newspapers come in to encase them,” McRay said.

While the artist says she does have some people drop by with materials on the weekdays, she expects more on the weekends.

Leslie Donaldson, fine arts coordinator of East Lansing Arts and Recreation, said McRay is allowing the community to come in and feel comfortable creating art.

“Different people are adding their own voice to what is going on in the world,” Donaldson said.

Beth Lawrence, a teacher at East Lansing High School, is bringing in two of her classes to help with the weaving at the end of the month.

“The students will enhance their concept of story-telling,” Lawrence said. “The more people participate, the richer it is.”

“I’m so glad that Nancy is doing this, I just think it is a clever and needed idea,” Lawrence said.

McRay welcomes anyone to call and set up a time to join in on the creation of the tapestry. She will later read the stories and begin weaving the room-sized tapestry on a “warp,” which will be on the ceiling and three of the four walls. Eventually the tapestry will cover the walls and the ceiling.

To help in the weaving or donate material, call McRay at 351-5205.