Located at the I-96 exit for Ottawa Ave, this mural is the first thing you see when you hit downtown Grand Rapids. Working with the UICA and DGRI, I painted a multi-language welcome that celebrates our connections to Zapopan, Perugia, Bielsko-Biala, the Ga District, and Omihachiman. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s a reminder that while we’re rooted in West Michigan, our arms are open to the world.

​

Bienvenido - Zapopan, Mexico

​

Benvenuto - Perugia, Italy

​

Witamy - Bielsko-Biala, Poland

​

Akwaaba - Ga District, Ghana

​

ようこそ (Yōkoso) - Omihachiman, Japan

​

Photos by Erika Townsley