ORANGE CITY — The latest mural in Orange City is finished, thanks to artist Mark Alsum.

The mural was dedicated Friday, July 24 at 9:00am, in memory of former Orange City Arts director Joyce Bloemendaal. She was the first director of the Arts Council, and served for 22 years, from 1986 to 2008. Bloemendaal, along with the founders and early board members, began a legacy of arts in Orange City, including the initial mural on Dove Christian Bookstore, painted in 1995. Since then a new mural has been painted on the Dove wall, another on Orange City Floral, and the newest this summer — on First Impact.

Bloemendaal passed away June 18.

The mural is being funded by Orange City Arts and private donors. First Reformed Church — owners of the First Impact building — and Diamond Vogel Paint are also assisting with the cost of the mural. Sixty percent of Orange City Arts’ fundraising goal — $5555 — has been reached. See https://orangecityarts.net/mark-alsum-begins-work-on-third-orange-city-mural/ for photos of the mural’s progress and to contribute.