We support a commission for local artist, community leader, and business leader Chris Garcia to create an artistic work on the Holland BPW’s 105-foot anabolic digester at the main water treatment facility on North River Avenue.

Chris Garcia is an incredible artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate. As a cofounder of the Tulip City Walls Mural Fest, he gave 5 years of time and organization to beautifying Holland’s Eastcore neighborhood and brought internationally recognized street artists to Holland, MI, helping connect Holland to the world and the world to Holland in a fresh and vibrant way. As a multi-disciplinary artist raised on Holland streets, Chris has made his mark on communities across this country and shown young strivers and dreamers in West Michigan that dreams can come true when you stay true to yourself, focus on building community, and put in the work to earn your craft.

In 2023, the Holland Board of Public Works installed the digester at its main water treatment facility. It is an award-winning public works project with clear environmental and community benefits, including reduced odor, less truck traffic, and money saved while protecting our environment. Rising into the sky on the north side of town, it is already a landmark. But it does not yet reflect the forward-thinking, energetic, and thoughtful place we call home.

We believe this is a real opportunity to add another piece of vibrant art to our community. A commission for Chris Garcia would help make the digester a point of pride and contemplation for the communities that call Ottawa County and the lakeshore home, while showing visitors that we are continuing to grow and move forward together. We ask the Holland BPW, through the City of Holland, to support this commission and bring this vision to life.