COLDWATER, MI — One new mural is complete, and a second has been approved as downtown’s public art scene continues to grow.
Coldwater’s Downtown Development Authority approved a major mural project expected to impress visitors entering town on Division Street, Old U.S. 27.
The DDA approved an agreement on May 26 for a large mural on DNS Auto at the southwest corner of Pearl and Division.
Design Committee Chair Shauna Grife said her group is “moving forward with the wall mural on DNS Auto with Dean Davis,” noting the selected design features flowers as the committee works to broaden its themes.
“We’ve, I think, voted or agreed that we’ll be… moving away from flowers in the future, but it just worked. I don’t know what to tell you,” Grife told the board.
Flowers fill the mural wall of the Children’s Museum of Branch County, where Grife is the executive director.
A second mural was completed last weekend at Side Street Beer Bar, where artists Matt Biolchini and Stephanie Burdick painted a tiger on the west-side wall, adding another high-visibility artwork downtown.
Plans are underway for another mural. Grife said the Design Committee has also selected an artist for an asphalt mural on South Monroe Street, but the team is revising the plan after city staff ruled out the original location.
“We selected an artist for our asphalt mural on South Monroe Street. We are in communication with that artist,” she said. “What she specifically designed, we were told by Municipal Services that we can’t put it where… we thought she could.”
Grife said the committee and artist are working to adjust the design and location, with more information coming soon.
Grife said the mural works are part of a broader effort to expand downtown’s public art and attract people to local businesses.
Final approval from the city council to place three sculptures downtown under yearlong leases is expected this month.
The DDA highlighted that downtown Coldwater is now nationally accredited by Main Street, one of 17 cities in Michigan focused on downtown improvement and development.
The expanding public art program—including murals, sculptures, student art, and events like Art After Hours—is part of Main Street’s broader downtown placemaking efforts.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: DDA okays more murals for downtown Coldwater
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
