Favorite Things: Ryan Holmes and his Star Wars collection

Aside from being an art teacher at Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy, and leading the Lansing Ghostbusters, Ryan Holmes is also a well-known chalk artist about town. His amazing works have been featured everywhere from the Tin Can Bar to the Lansing Mall, and some of those colossal chalky illustrations have been epically Star Wars-themed. With that said, Holmes, 36, is a lover of all things cinema, science fiction and comic books … which leads us to his Favorite Thing. Here’s what he had to say:

My favorite thing is my Star Wars toy collection. My favorite piece from that would probably be my legacy Millennium Falcon. It was released in 2008, and is the largest Millennium Falcon made for action figures. It’s got an amazing amount of detail, including a light-up electronic ramp, full-size cockpit, detailed gunner chair and even an escape pod bay. It was a harder piece to come by and it’s extremely large. What makes it more valuable is that I’ve added special accessories like Han medals, tools, gas mask and other props featured in the movie.

I definitely still collect. I have Amazon packages in the mail right now, actually. I love the world and the ability to world-build imaginatively. I never really became a full-on video game kid, I’m much more tactile. Yes, I play with toys — but my joy comes from setting up.

Looking back, I began collecting Star Wars toys as a child in the late ’80s. The original three movies were in syndication on television, and it was easier to find the original toys for cheap because they hadn’t become antiques or collectables yet. I actually built most of my collection from garage sales. Only peg-warming Return of the Jedi figures were on shelves. I’m pretty sure the only figure I got originally off-the-shelf was the fat, shirtless Rancor Keeper (laughs). I was stoked!

Growing up, Star Wars was a fairy tail in my home. We always got to stay up and eat ice cream when it was on. But I’m pretty sure I still engage with it the same way I did when I was 5 years old. I hum the themes (laughs) and there might be the occasional lightsaber sound effect. It definitely hits my kid switch.

I love having the occasional Star Wars day at work. I’ll let the kids engage in some intergalactic mayhem. And with over 200 figures, and closing in on 50 vehicles, I’d like my collection to one day be passed down through my family. I feel like that’s the Star Wars way.

Locally, I am, of course, known for the Ghostbusters fandom. When someone asks me if I am more into Star Wars or Ghostbusters, it’s tough. I am also an avid Ghostbusters fan. Please believe, that’s another serious collection. I’m a member of the Great Lakes Ghostbuster coalition and the leader of the Lansing Ghostbusters — we are nonprofit that brings smiles and awareness around Lansing. We also nuke the occasional spook. I imagine, if you talk to anyone close to me, they would probably all agree I’ve spent too much of my life on both (laughs). I’ve got nothing but love for each.

But my Star Wars collection is a tangible manifestation of a world I love and stories that give me hope. Luke Skywalker is my favorite character, and I hope to make it very soon to (Disney’s) Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park to build my own green lightsaber.

(This interview was edited and condensed by Rich Tupica. If you have a Favorite Things suggestion, email rich@lansingcitypulse.com.)