The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is excited to announce two new murals that will be painted as part of their Fresh Waves mural project this summer!

The first mural will be painted mid-August on the back of 133 W. Chisholm St., which faces the alleyway directly off 3rd Ave. next to HopSide Brewery.

This mural will be completed by artist Tim Nijenhuis of Hamilton, Ontario. Tim was previously part of the Fresh Waves project and painted the mural on the side of Light of Hope Clubhouse in 2022. This first mural will be completed the week of August 9-17 (weather permitting).

The building is owned by Chris & Missi LeFave, who have been deeply involved in the growth of Downtown Alpena over the years through businesses they have started (the Marketplace and Downtown Scoops) and properties they have renovated.

“Missi and I are excited to be part of the DDA’s continued efforts to showcase talented artists and make our downtown unique and beautiful,” said Chris.

Photos of Tim Nijenhuis’ mural completed last year at Light of Hope Clubhouse at 228 S. Third Ave.

The second mural will be painted near the entrance to Harborside Cycle that faces the alleyway closer to Second Ave. This mural will be made possible through the support of The Sunset Project, a non-profit focused on fostering creative advancement while being a driving force for mental health awareness. In line with its mission of generating creative advancement opportunities, The Sunset Project committed to providing additional funding for this year’s competition to expand the reach of the Fresh Waves project.

The Sunset Project coordinated closely with area business owner Sam Rumbles to find a location for its mural on his building and selected Sous La Ciel as the artist of choice from an outstanding pool of Fresh Waves applicants. The Sunset Project hopes that by providing additional resources to projects such as Fresh Waves, that new talent and opportunity will follow closely behind and benefit the Northeast Michigan community.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing how the expansion of projects such as Fresh Waves will positively impact the community that we all care so deeply about. It’s been such a fun and exciting process for the entire Sunset Project team, including myself, and we’re looking forward to being more involved with DDA projects down the road!” said Nick Poli, Creative Director.

Ann-Arbor based artists Adrienne Pickett and Kellie Bambach of Sous La Ciel will be painting the piece beginning July 26.

“No matter the season, between Thunder Bay, Starlight Beach, and the sandy shores of Lake Huron, the call for Vitamin D is strong. There’s a calm that goes along with sitting at the waters’ edge,” said the artists about the piece they will be painting.

“Whether canoeing in the river, playing the sand, or strolling along the shore, the fresh air of this “fresh coast” will keep viewers yearning for more. This sweet vintage take on these days of summer will keep the memories strong all winter long.”

Photos by Sous La Ciel of artwork they have completed throughout Michigan.

This year, the Alpena DDA received over thirty applications from artists all over the country to be part of this summer’s project, which will focus on adding murals throughout the alleyway that runs through downtown. The DDA received a grant from the Michigan Arts & Cultural Council to expand this year’s project and add murals in the alleyway as part of the placemaking project to make the alleyways pedestrian-friendly spaces that can be used for live music, events and more.

The other murals and locations will be announced in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. We appreciate the support from them and the Sunset Project to grow the Fresh Waves project and build the creative community here in Alpena.