2024 George Street Plaza “Belonging Begins Here” Mural Voting

The objective of this De Pere Health Department and Definitely De Pere mural project at George Street Plaza is to enhance community engagement, develop social connections, and improve the wellbeing of De Pere through art and the built environment.

A big THANK YOU to Saks Holdings for the use of their building facade (pictured above) and to the Wisconsin 2024 Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (Objective 7: Social Connections) for funding this initiative. 

Artists were asked to submit designs that meet the specific grant-driven and media campaign-related theme for this project: “Belonging Begins Here” and the idea of social connectedness in De Pere, WI.

Brief descriptions of the semi-finalist designs are included below. The designs are concepts and the final mural may differ slightly from the design picture. Artist name will not be released until after voting has concluded.

After reviewing the designs and descriptions, please vote ONCE for your preferred design. Voting will be restricted by IP address, so please use a personal device. Voting is open June 7th, 2024 to June 21st, 2024 to all who live, work, play, worship, and visit in De Pere, WI.

Finalist will be announced on June 24th and the official mural unveiling will be at the September 5th De Pere Farmer’s Market!  

Design 1: De Pere, A Hands-On Community

Our hands play an important role in connecting with each other in a community through helping, greeting, hugging, communicating, comforting, and countless other gestures to offer a sense of acceptance and inclusion with each other. This design incorporates a public installation of De Pere community members' handprints as the foundation layer of the design, just as the community members are the foundation of sustaining and encouraging the mural theme of "Belonging Begins Here." Large heart hands in the middle of the mural, along with the hand to the side (high five) is the perfect place for an interactive photo-op.

Design 2: From the Heart

There's so much that makes De Pere, Wisconisn a special place. You can feel the history in the old brick, hear the sounds of nature on the river's edge, and see the smiles and connection between people every day. It all adds up to create this unique and strong community where everyone can feel like they belong.

Design 3: Grab Ahold of De Pere and Belong

This mural represents the charm and character of De Pere with a vintage inspired billboard. The playful balloons create a moment of inclusion for walkers to take a photo grabbing onto the strings of the balloons that make up the words of this city of so many opportunities. The mural includes the project theme tagline "Belonging Begins Here."