Project Name: North Main Street Mural Greenspace Project
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
Village of Berrien Springs
Website URL
http://www.villageofberriensprings.com
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088305840013
Instagram Handle
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Kelly Ewalt
What are their preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Village of Berrien Springs
Anticipated project launch date
September 12, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
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 do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
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.
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
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.24.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed artist and will be paid. Business locations are good, first business is a grocery store that owns the wall–we allowed other apps to move through to jurying. Confirmed LOS. Confirmed photos.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
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.
How will you engage your community in this project?
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.
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 will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
By involving the school system,
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Jennifer Cook
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.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
She will develop the design to be approve by Council, as well as coordinate supplies and volunteers. The hope is that the mural will be used as a class project.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
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
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Harding’s owns the building the mural is on. They are happy to let us work on the space and redo it.
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: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064115073874
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
The owner of Green Wellies is willing to advise the Village on best practices for landscape cleanup and maintenance.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
No
What are their names?
What role(s) will they have in the project?
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
The Village is spearheading the effort to revitalize the space including coordinating the grant and all partners.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
https://mmlfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/19/Snyder-Letter-Bridge-Builders.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
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):
