Soon, those entering the city via the Thunder Bay River will also receive a warm welcome, as a new mural will be painted at the base of the 2nd Avenue Bridge. The artist is expected to start painting this week.

At Monday’s Alpena Municipal Council meeting, council chose one of three mural proposals submitted by artist Molly Keen, of Arizona. Keen was selected by the Alpena Downtown Development Authority to do the artwork as part of the DDA’s Fresh Waves mural program.

Keen’s mural, titled “Pines to Port,” will include a colorful variety of local features, such as a downtown cityscape, the 45th Parallel sign, ships, pine trees, and more incorporated into a unique and eye-catching design.

The Fresh Waves program is a project that aims to add vibrant pieces of public art through the downtown that celebrates a diversity of content and styles. The murals don’t have a theme; instead, they celebrate artistic freedom and vision.

Artist Molly Keen will be painting a new mural at the base of the 2nd Avenue Bridge in Alpena, visible from the river and surrounding areas. This rendering shows part of the proposed mural, approved by Alpena Municipal Council on Monday.

Keen travels the world transforming empty urban walls into beautiful pieces of art and submitted an application to do one in Alpena. Some of her work can be seen in Portugal, Spain, and Thailand. Keen’s mural will be her first in Michigan.

The DDA decided her talent and vision were a perfect match for the Fresh Waves program.

Anne Gentry, the executive director of the DDA, said the new mural will feature popular locations in Alpena and reflect on Alpena’s natural resources, history, and lifestyle. She added that the mural will catch the eyes of people who are enjoying a trip on Lady Michigan for a shipwreck tour and the other excursions that are offered locally. She said the passengers who visit Alpena while on a Viking cruise will also be able to enjoy it before they venture downtown to see other murals.

“It has been a big emphasis of ours to better activate the riverfront because it is such an asset,” Gentry said. “There is more usage from boaters, kayakers, the glass bottom boat, and from events like the tall ships. It is a very visible entry point now and right now, people see the old DPI plant and the large salt pile, so people love the drawbridge to have something really beautiful and welcoming that can help set a good tone for coming into downtown.”

The newest mural will push the total number of murals in the downtown to 29.

Artist Molly Keen will be painting a new mural at the base of the 2nd Avenue Bridge in Alpena, visible from the river and surrounding areas. This rendering shows part of the proposed mural, approved by Alpena Municipal Council on Monday.

“No matter how you come into the downtown, whether by boat or car, you are going to be greeted by one of the murals, and this will be another great welcome point,” Gentry added. “Her design really captured what Alpena is and includes elements of our culture, identity, and landscape. It really sets a good tone.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.