KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tuesday, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe unveiled a new outdoor mural for its downtown location.
The Kalamazoo-based Dream Scene Placemaking is the company responsible for the new mural, and officials say Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas began working on the mural on April 19.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve our spaces downtown,” Bell’s President and Founder Larry Bell said in a statement. “Our team is very dedicated, and I am always thinking about how to take this space to another level.”
This mural project had been in the planning stages for a few years. Work was scheduled to begin just before the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020. It was completed on May 14 and is now one of the largest outdoor pieces of artwork in Kalamazoo, according to officials.
In a statement, officials said that the mural incorporates images and messaging that represent what Bell’s is passionate about, including the following:
- the highest quality ingredients (hops),
- innovation along with high quality and consistent craft beer (silhouette of the original brewery) no matter how much the brewery grows over time.
It also features the Brewers Associations’ Independent Seal, which can only be used by breweries who fit the trade group’s definition of small, independent craft brewers.
Bell said that brewery is “proud to remain 100% family-owned and fiercely independent.”
Another aspect incorporated into the mural is its mantra of being “open to all.”
“‘Open to All’ greets everyone who visits any of our buildings, whether that’s our pub, store or our Comstock Brewery. We are firmly committed to an environment that is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion for our employees and our guests. This mural makes that statement loud and clear,” Bell’s Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker added.
To celebrate the completion and official unveiling of the mural, the Café will offer $1 off all “B1 Beers” (specialty beers brewed at Bell’s original brewery that are only available at Bell’s pub) on June 4-6.
Officials say this coincides with the city of Kalamazoo’s JumpstART (previously June Jubilee) celebration of the local arts community and the kick-off to summer.
The Café will celebrate its 28th anniversary on June 11.
More photos can be viewed below:
Progress of the outdoor mural at the Eccentric Cafe, April 19-May 14 in downtown Kalamazoo. Artists were husband and wife team, Anne Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas. (Image provided by Dream Scene Placemaking and Bell’s).
Progress of the outdoor mural at the Eccentric Cafe, April 19-May 14 in downtown Kalamazoo. Artists were husband and wife team, Anne Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas.
Image provided by Dream Scene Placemaking.
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