Krista Arendsen painted this mural on the west-facing wall of Main Street Bicycle Co. at 201 E. Main in downtown Zeeland in 2023 on commission from the city. Arendsen has now been tapped by the city to create a second mural at 122 E. Main Ave. as part of its efforts to expand its public art presence.
Photo by Greg Chandler
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland has approved another downtown mural project, and will likely approve an additional such project in the near future.
The City Council on May 18 approved an artwork agreement between the city and local artist Krista Arendsen, as well an agreement between the city and Zeeland Hardware Etc. LLC for Arendsen to create the mural at 122 E. Main Ave.
The mural will be installed on the east and south-facing brick walls at 122 E. Main.
The city’s Marketing Department recently issued a call for artists for a new round of murals as part of a continuing effort to expand permanent public art throughout the downtown area. The city received 18 submissions, Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
From the initial list of applicants, the department narrowed the candidates to two finalists – Arendsen and a second artist whose mural proposal will come before council at a future meeting. “We’re still working out some details (on the other artist),” deRoo said.
This will Arendsen’s second project with the city. In 2023, she painted the mural on the west-facing wall of Main Street Bicycle Co. at 201 E. Main, deRoo said.
“We had an exceptional experience with Krista last time around … We had some trouble with the building, and Krista was patient and professional throughout the whole thing,” deRoo said.
“We really are fond of the submittal that she has offered. The property owner’s very comfortable with her. Finding a match between the property owner and artist is important,” she added.
In the narrative she wrote to go with the sketch concepts she provided for her mural, Arendsen proposed “a display of vibrant modern design, reflecting Zeeland’s continual growth and advancement of creativity, flexibility and ingenuity through shape and color.”
The final design and color would be approved by the city marketing department before the project would begin.
The city budgeted $25,000 in the 2025-26 budget for downtown murals. Arendsen will use $14,500 of that budgeted amount with the remainder to go to the second artist, deRoo said.
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland has approved another downtown mural project, and will likely approve an additional such project in the near future.
The City Council on May 18 approved an artwork agreement between the city and local artist Krista Arendsen, as well an agreement between the city and Zeeland Hardware Etc. LLC for Arendsen to create the mural at 122 E. Main Ave.
The mural will be installed on the east and south-facing brick walls at 122 E. Main.
The city’s Marketing Department recently issued a call for artists for a new round of murals as part of a continuing effort to expand permanent public art throughout the downtown area. The city received 18 submissions, Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
From the initial list of applicants, the department narrowed the candidates to two finalists – Arendsen and a second artist whose mural proposal will come before council at a future meeting. “We’re still working out some details (on the other artist),” deRoo said.
This will Arendsen’s second project with the city. In 2023, she painted the mural on the west-facing wall of Main Street Bicycle Co. at 201 E. Main, deRoo said.
“We had an exceptional experience with Krista last time around … We had some trouble with the building, and Krista was patient and professional throughout the whole thing,” deRoo said.
“We really are fond of the submittal that she has offered. The property owner’s very comfortable with her. Finding a match between the property owner and artist is important,” she added.
In the narrative she wrote to go with the sketch concepts she provided for her mural, Arendsen proposed “a display of vibrant modern design, reflecting Zeeland’s continual growth and advancement of creativity, flexibility and ingenuity through shape and color.”
The final design and color would be approved by the city marketing department before the project would begin.
The city budgeted $25,000 in the 2025-26 budget for downtown murals. Arendsen will use $14,500 of that budgeted amount with the remainder to go to the second artist, deRoo said.
