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

This mural will be completed by artist Tim Nijenhuis of Hamilton, Ontario. He was previously part of the Fresh Waves project and painted the Alpena Flyer mural on the side of Light of Hope Clubhouse in 2022. This first mural will be completed the week of Aug. 9 through 17 (weather permitting). The building is owned by Chris and Missi LeFave, who have been deeply involved in the growth of Downtown Alpena over the years.

“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 LeFave.

The second mural will be painted near the entrance to Harborside Cycle that faces the alleyway closer to 2nd Avenue. This mural is made possible through the support of The Sunset Project, a nonprofit organization 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.

Courtesy Photo The back wall of Harborside Cycle will be painted by Adrienne Pickett and Kellie Bambach, of Sous La Ciel based in Ann Arbor, this summer as part of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority’s Fresh Waves mural 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,” said Nick Poli, creative director for The Sunset Project. “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.”

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, Starlite 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.”

This year, the Alpena DDA received over 30 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 and 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.

For more information on the Fresh Waves project, please visit downtownalpenami.com/fresh-waves-mural-project.

About the Artists

Tim Nijenhuis is a professional international mural painter from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Over the past two decades, he has created over 100 murals, in various countries, many of them large scale exterior works. He also creates props and sets for the local film industry in Southern Ontario.

Additionally, he is active as a musical performer, composer, producer, and publisher. Before painting a mural, he finds a great source of inspiration by listening to the local community, does historic research and investigates the surrounding landscape, architecture, and culture.

His works tend to enhance the surrounding neighborhoods and bringing people together from all walks of life, social, or ethnic backgrounds. He strives for his murals to provoke thought and energy, but he always intends for them to have a positive and constructive vibe. He is inspired by, and works with Trompe l’oeil, surrealism and 3-dimensional illusion styles. Learn more at ninehouseproductions.com.

Sous La Ciel is a duo based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After spending a collective 30 years as art and creative directors working with nationally recognized brands, they launched Ciel to create engaging public art that speaks to everyone. Their work blends deep expertise in brand development with the aesthetics of fine art to give clients a unique and highly visible medium for their message.

Adrienne Pickett laid the foundation for Ciel by painting murals at just 12 years old, and she began formal art training in childhood that would ultimately inspire her graphic and gestural style. After receiving a fine art scholarship from the City of Livonia and several Scholastic Art Awards, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Art and Design. She has since served as an art director and creative director for high-visibility campaigns and companies, and, in 2017, she launched her own creative marketing firm serving local and state political candidates, nonprofit organizations, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Whether she’s painting murals or crafting impactful design for a campaign, Pickett is passionate about using art as a positive force in the world.

Kellie Bambach’s artistic journey began as a toddler with a 64-count box of Crayola crayons, evolved into painting murals with her high school art club, and has led to an award-winning career in graphic design, art direction, painting, and drawing. Bambach earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design and studied abroad in Florence, Italy at the Studio Arts Center International after graduation. She spent 15 years working with advertising agencies, small design studios, and corporate retail and entertainment companies before launching her own branding studio in 2011. Art has infused every aspect of Bambach’s life and career, and she loves telling her clients’ stories and bringing people together through inspiring design, murals, and street art.

Learn more at souslaciel.com.

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