Travel Iowa editors have recognized Pella’s newest large-scale mural, “Forever Pella,” in the 2025 Iowa Travel Guide as one of the state’s most “insta-worthy” attractions. This multi-wall artwork is situated between the Klokkenspel Plaza and Molengracht District.
“For this significant project, we issued a call for muralists and received proposals from across the U.S.,” said Spirit of Pella President Christi Vander Voort. “The winning design, submitted by Dallas artist Eliana Davilla, has been warmly embraced by the Pella community. It masterfully balances the celebration of the community’s many cherished traditions, attractions, and icons while presenting a much-larger-than-life splash of brilliant color, showcasing many of the most spectacular tulip varieties seen each spring in planting beds throughout the town. Appropriately titled “Forever Pella,” Davilla’s mural has become an instant favorite among both community members and visitors.”
“Forever Pella” is Spirit of Pella’s second mural project. The first, titled “Happy Days,” was dedicated in 2023 and inspired by Dutch folk art painting from the small farming village of Staphorst, in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. Visitors can find “Happy Days” downtown on Franklin Street near The Brew coffeehouse.
The free 2025 Iowa Travel Guide is available locally at the Visit Pella office (915 Broadway Street in Pella) and, when open, at the Welcome Windmill in Central Park. The guide is also available to order online at www.traveliowa.com.
In addition to the two mural projects, Spirit of Pella and its donors have significantly expanded the community’s downtown holiday lights, provided vendor huts for the community’s annual Kerstmarkt Christmas Market, and hosted Fab Foodie Fridays in the Klokkenspel Plaza during the fall. Spirit of Pella’s current focus is fundraising to purchase, install, and donate an ice rink chiller to the City of Pella for Caldwell Park, enabling ice skating activities for all ages from November to early spring each year.