ROUTES • Innovative GPS Art Exhibition Debuts at Saginaw YMCA

Michigan-based artist and endurance runner Thor Rasmussen is excited to present an innovative new art exhibition titled ROUTES at the Saginaw YMCA, which will be on display from March 17 through June 8, 2025,

Showcasing a unique fusion of fitness and creativity through GPS art, after taking up running back in December 2022, what began as a personal fitness journey evolved into an artistic endeavor for Rasmussen, who discovered the ability to "draw" images with GPS tracking.

By mapping his marathon training routes through Saginaw’s irregular street patterns, he created intricate designs—birds, lizards, faces—transforming the act of running into a form of large-scale, city-wide drawing.

"Running is an accumulation of miles, just as drawing is an accumulation of lines," says Rasmussen. "In both, progress is often imperceptible in the moment, but over time forms emerge. This project is about endurance, adaptation, and seeing the beauty in the routes we take—whether in running or in life."

Doug Temple, Director of Operations at the Saginaw YMCA, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the exhibition: "At the Y, we are committed to fostering a connection between physical activity and overall well-being. Thor’s work embodies this philosophy by showing how movement can be both a personal challenge and a form of creative expression. We’re thrilled to bring this unique exhibition to our space."

The exhibition will feature large-scale prints of Rasmussen’s GPS drawings.

For more about the artist, visit whoathor.com or follow his journey on Instagram and YouTube @whoathor.