Project Name: North Main Street Mural Greenspace Project
What is your first and last name?
Kelly Ewalt
What are your preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
What city or village do you live in?
[534]Does your neighborhood have a name? If so what is it?
[535]Are you connected with anyone in your local government?
[536]Are you applying as a business owner, artist, non-profit, DDA, or Commercial Improvement District?
[280]Where will your project take place?
Village of Berrien Springs
Briefly describe your project idea:
The old mural on the building will be removed and a new one painted by the High School Art Department and students. The Village will work with the local garden shop to clean up the greenspace and provide seating.
How will you be involved in this project? Who will you worth with?
We will work with the local high school art department and other students to prep the space and paint the new mural. Community members will be invited to help as well. Local businesses have offered their expertise as well.
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Jennifer is the Berrien Springs High School art teacher. She also has experience painting large murals.
Please upload a letter of support for your project from your local governing body:
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Additional Attachments (if any)
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Why does your community need this project?
The Village is working to bring more people downtown through events in hopes to drive income to businesses. The proposed space is directly across from the busy post office and has become overgrown and the mural is chipping away. By cleaning up the space and refreshing the mural, the downtown area will become more attractive and welcoming to residents.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
We hope to create a space downtown where people can relax in a quiet section of town, just off the main road, in a beautiful space. The hope is that it will be a catalyst for other improvements downtown.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant?
The majority of the microgrant funds will go towards the painting project including the artist, painting supplies (primer, paint, rollers, etc.), landscaping, as well as seating.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
We have discussed the project with the owners of the greenspace as well as the wall, and both are on-board with the project. The garden shop across the street is willing to help Village staff on correctly trimming up the landscape, and the paining will be done with volunteers.
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding. *
No
Anticipated project launch date:
September 12, 2023
Will you serve as the primary point of contact for this application?
[291]Lead Artist First and Last Name:
Jennifer Cook
Lead Artist Website (If Applicable):
Business 1: Business Name:
Harding’s Market
Business 1: Business Type:
Retail
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Bill Nichols – Manager
Business 1: Physical Location Address
106 E. Mars St Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Business 1: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 1: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Business 1: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Business Name:
Green Wellies Garden Shoppe, LLC
Business 2: Business Type:
Retail
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Leisa Paustian
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
111 N. Main St.
Business 2: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064115073874
Business 2: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
Business 3: Business Name:
[325]Business 3: Business Type:
[507]Business 3: Business Owner First and Last Name:
[326]Business 3: Physical Location Address
[327]Business 3: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
[374]Business 3: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
[373]Business 3: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
[383]Please list the names of any additional partners:
[336]Image Caption 1 (if any): Original Mural from 1981
Image 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): Original Mural from 1981
Image 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): Greenspace from Alley
Image 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Greenspace from Main St.
Image 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any): Greenspace and Mural from Main St.
Image 5 (if any):
