Another mural lit up in the Downtown Grand Rapids alleyway

The “Ethel B. Coe Way,” a formerly-nameless alleyway off of Monroe Avenue, is now well-lit and vibrant for all to see. 

Painted as part of the larger “Women’s Way” alley activation initiative by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., the alleyway is named after Ethel B. Coe, a local renaissance woman, community activist, musician, actor and civil rights leader. 

Local artist Pluto Monday painted the mural of Coe last year in effort to honor her legacy and bring life to a previously lifeless area. 

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. said on their Instagram that additional alley improvements are coming soon. 

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. adds ping-pong table, chess, checker board to Monroe Avenue

555 Monroe Ave., a waterfront property in downtown Grand Rapids, served as a giant car park for decades. 

Now, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. has plans to make this nearly four-acre space a hub for local movement to rejuvenate and revitalize the Grand River as a recreational place for the people of Grand Rapids. 

In order to continue to cultivate this space as a central gathering place on the water they recently added a shiny hot pink ping-pong table and a bright green chess/checkers table for visitors to take part in some outdoor fun and games together. 

Applications for artists now open for the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. chalk festival

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) is currently calling all chalk artists to apply for their second annual “Chalk It Up” festival taking place on May 23. 

The festival began in September 2020 and is a free event that invites artists and the general public to fill the streets of downtown Grand Rapids with chalk-based art. 

Artists who apply and are accepted will be compensated for an 8×8 chalk piece. 

Anyone interested is invited to fill out an application and send it to Megan Catcho, DGRI’s Event Coordinator, at [email protected] no later than April 5. 

“Seasonal Wonders” Projection Show in Grand Rapids brought back by popular demand

When the season’s final viewing of the World of Winter Festival’s “Seasonal Wonders” Projection Show took place on March 14, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. was met with a call for more. 

The installation, showcasing the four seasons of Grand Rapids on the facade of the Civic Auditorium downtown, has been resurrected for more family fun and will continue showings every Saturday through April 3. 

Three shows will be taking place each night beginning at 8:30 p.m. with each show lasting about 20 minutes.