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Pella, IA (May 23, 2024) – Pella’s newest large-scale mural featuring gigantic tulips in bloom will be named and dedicated at a ribbon-cutting and press conference on June 6 at 10 a.m. according to project organizers with Spirit of Pella. The non-profit group’s latest effort created an expansive, brightly colored, and highly stylized multi-wall work of art in the heart downtown Pella in Franklin Park between the Klokkenspel Plaza and Molengracht District. It offers visitors and residents yet another picturesque “selfie” location in a town known around the world for celebrating its rich Dutch heritage.

“We issued a nationwide call for muralists in June last year and received proposals from across the U.S.,” said Spirit of Pella board member Ryan Vos who helped spearhead the donor-funded project. The winning design submitted by Dallas artist Eliana Davilla proved popular across the community for its depiction of Pella’s many special traditions, attractions, and familiar icons. The mural also features brilliant splashes of color showcasing larger-than-life versions of the most spectacular tulip varieties growing in planting beds across town every spring.

While Davilla’s Elistry team members reside in Dallas, her family has a long history with Pella having attended its Tulip Festival many times. “As I reflect on my experience painting this mural, my heart is warmed with such a sweet nostalgia,” Davilla explained. “Among the many projects I’ve had the joy of painting, this will forever stand out as one of my all-time favorites.”

“Being chosen and trusted with this project was such an honor, and I hope the people of Pella will take pride in these murals as much as I do,” Davilla continued. “Pella will forever hold a special place in my heart and has truly become a home away from home.”

The June 6 event will include brief comments from Vos, Davilla and Pella Mayor Don DeWaard. Spirit of Pella board members and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be available from Iris Coffee Company and Dutch Fix.

This is Spirit of Pella’s second mural project designed to delight visitors and residents alike. The first, titled “Happy Days,” was dedicated last June. It was inspired by Dutch folk-art painting from the small farming village of Staphorst, in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. “Happy Days” is located downtown on Franklin Street near The Brew coffeehouse.

 In addition to the two mural projects, Spirit of Pella and its generous donors have helped to significantly expand the community’s downtown holiday lights and assist with providing vendor huts for Visit Pella’s annual Kerstmarkt Christmas Market. The group’s future goals include more public art projects, collaborations with the City of Pella to enhance the Klokkenspel Plaza and the Molengracht District, and a variety of other projects all designed to bring people together to celebrate Pella.

To view the mural on a live YouTube feed, click here. To learn more about Spirit of Pella, visit www.spiritofpella.org  facebook.com/spiritofpella and instagram.com/spiritofpella/ 

Pella, IA (April 29, 2024) – Visitors to Pella’s annual Tulip Festival this year will be treated to a stunning new mural completed just today, according to the project’s sponsoring organization, Spirit of Pella. The expansive, brightly colored and highly stylized multi-wall work is in the heart downtown Pella between the Klokkenspel Plaza and Molengracht (canal) District. It offers visitors yet another picturesque “selfie” location in a town known around the world for celebrating its rich Dutch heritage.

“For this very important project we issued a call for muralists in June last year and received proposals from across the U.S.,” said Spirit of Pella President Christi Vander Voort. The winning design submitted by Dallas artist Eliana Davilla proved to be very popular across the community for its balanced celebration of Pella’s many special traditions, attractions and icons while also presenting a much-larger-than-life splash of brilliant color showcasing many of the most spectacular tulip varieties visitors see growing in planting beds sprinkled throughout the town. 

“Eliana and her team, most of them her own talented family members, began working on this stunning mural on April 9, Vander Voort said. “Thanks to great weather and very generous local donors from across the community who provided funding for the artistic team and everything from wall preparation, metal work and paint to food and lodging, we wrapped up tonight just in time for this weekend’s festival.” During Tulip Time each year, Pella’s population of around 10,000 residents swells to more than 100,000 visitors.

This is Spirit of Pella’s second mural project designed to delight visitors and residents alike. The first, titled “Happy Days,” was dedicated last June. It was inspired by Dutch folk art painting from the small farming village of Staphorst, in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. Visitors will find “Happy Days” downtown on Franklin Street near The Brew coffeehouse.

In addition to the two mural projects, Spirit of Pella and its generous donors have helped to significantly expand the community’s downtown holiday lights and assisted with providing vendor huts for the community’s annual Kerstmarkt Christmas Market. The group’s future goals include more public art projects, collaborations with the City of Pella to enhance the Klokkenspel Plaza and the Molengracht District, and a variety of other projects all designed to bring people together to celebrate Pella.

To learn more about Spirit of Pella, visit spiritofpella.org. Like and follow Spirit of Pella on Facebook at facebook.com/spiritofpella and Instagram at instagram.com/spiritofpella/  

Pella, IA (September 14, 2023) –  Spirit of Pella is pleased to announce a new Board of Directors. The non-profit charged to enrich and expand Pella’s amenities, attractions, traditions, and experiences for residents and visitors launched in 2021, sharing its founding Board of Directors with the Pella Area Community & Economic (PACE) Alliance.

“We are beyond thankful for the guidance, support, and belief in our mission that the PACE Alliance board gave Spirit of Pella while we got our feet under us and established our presence in Pella,” said new board president Christi Vander Voort.

In addition to Vander Voort, the organization’s new Board of Directors includes vice president Jason Bandstra, treasurer Roger DeWaard, secretary Eric Sickler, Aaron Smith, Dave Sutphen, Ryan Vos, Teri Vos, Lisa Jaarsma Zylstra, and Bob Zylstra. 

“Our Board of Directors is a dedicated team of proven community leaders who are committed to preserving our heritage and strengthening Pella’s unique public life, assets, and culture,” said Vander Voort. “We are excited to tap their talent, expertise, and energy to further our mission.” 

“Pella founder Dominie H.P. Scholte is celebrated as an innovator and advocate who championed a vision to create a vibrant community where all people could build their lives. Today that same ‘Scholte Spirit’ inspires and guides the work of the Spirit of Pella organization as we activate innovation while honoring our community’s rich heritage through interactive art, public gathering spaces, a magical holiday season, and special events,” Vander Voort shared. 

Through fundraising with generous local donors, Spirit of Pella has helped to significantly expand Pella’s downtown holiday lights, assisted with providing vendor huts for Kerstmarkt and, most recently, spearheaded an original mural tribute to traditional Dutch Staphorst nail-head painting on the wall between The Brew and Marion County Bank. The group’s future goals include more murals and public art projects, collaborations with the City of Pella to enhance the Klokkenspel Plaza and the Molengracht Courtyard, and a variety of other projects proposed in its strategic plan. 

To learn more about Spirit of Pella, visit spiritofpella.org. Like and follow Spirit of Pella on Facebook at facebook.com/spiritofpella and Instagram at instagram.com/spiritofpella/  

Pella, IA (June 1, 2023) – Spirit of Pella, the non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people through collaborative community-based projects, announced today the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 8 at 10 am in front of the new mural on the Brew Coffeehouse located at 626 Franklin Street.

The public is invited to join in the festivities as special guests Mayor Don DeWaard, Dutch expert, Milly Vande Kieft, and muralist, Hannah Heschke share a few remarks about the beautiful mural.

“We are so pleased to reveal Spirit of Pella’s first mural that honors our heritage and tells a story of Pella’s history,” said Christi Vander Voort who chairs the Spirit of Pella Steering Committee.

The mural design is inspired by Dutch folk art painting from the small farming village of Staphorst, in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. Dating back to the early 1900s, Stipwerk, or dotwork, is done with the heads of different sized nails. The nail heads are dipped in paint and then pressed on to the fabric. The process is repeated until the desired patterns are formed which is most often symmetrical and geometric or floral.

The colorful mural was designed and painted by local artist Hannah Heschke who was born and raised in Pella. Heschke currently uses her creative skills in the Worship Arts Department at Third Church and her commissioned works can be seen in Downtown Pella stores, Blush and Little Wardrobe.

“We believe art speaks a universal language of connection and contributes to the quality of life,” said Vander Voort. “We have a unique and beautiful community with a stunning canvas.”

We look forward to hosting the press, Spirit of Pella donors, and community partners to celebrate the mural reveal.