GrandStay Hotel welcomes unique mural
Dec. 3—PELLA — Under new ownership since April, GrandStay Hotel and Suites in Pella has already welcomed a number of updates and renovations, but one in particular grabs at the hearts and eyes of visitors and community members alike.
Waterloo-based artist Bryan Sink has created a one-of-a-kind mural spanning the entire walls of the hotel's pool area.
"We try to do the best that we can to reflect the local theme in artwork in the lobby," hotel owner Rod Lindquist said. "This town is a strong Dutch community with a ton of pride. You notice it after five minutes in town. You see it, you hear it."
Lindquist knew that the hotel needed a special piece to pay homage to its special community.
"Every town has their thing, but Pella bleeds tulips," he said.
Sink's Pella-themed piece depicts 23 separate landmarks and icons of Pella living, including Jaarsma Bakery, the Cordova Observation Tower and the Tulip Time monument. Colorful tulip fields and a blue sky speckled with clouds provide the perfect view for an evening relaxing at the poolside.
Sink worked with the Chamber of Commerce to plan what would be included in the mural in order to get a truly personal touch of Pella, embracing the attributes that Pella residents are most proud of.
Using just two brush sizes, Sink transformed the once-drab room into a magical portrayal of Pella's most iconic scenes.
Multiple windows in the room allow natural light to pour in, giving a different glow and feel to the artwork at every hour of the day.
The painting of the masterpiece took just under two weeks, but the hard work and dedication that went into it will be visible to all who enter the room for years to come.
Lindquist said that community members will have the opportunity to view the work themselves at an open house in January.
Shannon Rabotski can be reached at srabotski@oskyherald.com.
