KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A new mural is coming to Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood, with work to be carried out in September by local artists Chafe Hensley of Weirder Wonderland and Heidi Weiss of Spruce Interiors.
Depicting the joys of bicycling, the mural will be painted on a large wall at 1122 Portage Street. The building is known locally as the home of the non-profit Kalamazoo Dream Center, which provides clothing, household goods and food pantry items to those in need.
The mural was selected by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s Art Committee as expressing the theme of the joys of bicycling. “We are thrilled to be the next muralists to continue Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s journey of promoting the love of cycling and raising joyful awareness while celebrating local artists,” said Weirder Wonderland partner Chafe Hensley.
Organizers say Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s public mural program began in 2022 as a means for enriching public spaces while encouraging bicycling and promoting public safety, all at the same time.
Patrick Hershberger, chair of BFK’s Art Committee as well as the Kalamazoo County Public Art Commission, observes about the program, “We will be attracting top talent from within and outside our community to coalesce around bike-positive public art. We have an opportunity to give back to our communities through creativity and connecting via the joy of bicycling.”
“Greater numbers of bicyclists on the roads is positively correlated with improvements in public safety,” observes Paul Selden, Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s president. “These joyful images will put a smile in the hearts of those passing by, improving the quality of life, if only for a moment.” Selden hopes that seeing joyful images of bicyclists, “who could be family members, friends and neighbors,” will encourage motorists to drive more carefully.
This mural is being funded by the Jim Gilmore Jr. Foundation and the Edison Neighborhood Association and Bike Friendly Kalamazoo.
Comments