Entertainment AlleyWay

Heartside Historic Murals is a program of Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids. The mission of DPGR is to improve the lives of people by serving as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization,we believe public art is a vital part of this renewal process. DPGR, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Studio C have worked in collaboration with artists Michi Farias and Rhiannon Shibbald to bring a one-of-a-kind mural to the Celebration Cinema Studio Park building. A steering committee of residents, past muralists, and business owners worked together to determine the muralists and themes; they also offered crucial feedback on the final design. Make sure to grab our Heartside Historic Self Guided Mural Tour pamplet or visit dpgr.org/heartside-historic-murals

Did you know that Studio Park is a legacy site? This theater belongs to The Loeks, a family that has owned theaters since 1944! This mural is living celebration of the music, films, and theatrical arts in Grand Rapids past and present. Jack Loeks' first independant theater was Foto News, the formerly reovated Power's Operas House. Shortly after opening his theater was
limited to short news reels and cartoons due to studio-controlled film distribution. Loeks joined other independent theaters in suing to break the newsreel distribution monopoly, and in 1948 the practice was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. This led to Loeks remodeling 123 Ionia into Midtown Theater. From there the business grew quickly! Within years they opened some of the first drive-ins, like Beltline Drive In (1948-1987), and multiplex theaters, like Studio 28 (1965-2008), in the Midwest. You can learn more Loeks’ history at celebrationcinema.com/history.

From the traditional Woodland dancers of the Grand River Band of Ottawa to the craft of opera singing over classical
instruments; Grand Rapids has hosted multitudes of entertainers well before the city was incorporated. Left to right the following individuals are included: Emma Abbott soprano opera singer born in 1850. Edith and Julianne Rambeau, mother and daughter musicians that greatly contributed to musical education in the city. Violet Macmillian a vaudville and silent film actress in the Baum's Wizard of Oz movies. Carol Moore, the lone woman that has spent 40 years restoring Wealthy Theatre and Hermitage at Diamond by hand. Lorna Gray an American actress in many Colombia and Republic films. Bobby DeBarge, funk and soul singer of famed groups like Switch and DeBarge. Elizabeth Wilson a Tony-winning musical theater and television actress. Aydrian Day a Woodland dancer and fashion designer. Ruth Ann Molenaar an actress and educator in nearly every Civic Theater production in the past 40 years. Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light and Days of Our Lives soap actress. Fergie Fredrickson, a musician and former lead singer of the band, Toto. Maynard James Keenan, lead vocalist and multi-platinum rock bands like Tool and A Perfect Circle. Gillian Anderson living actress best known for her role as Scullly in the X Files. This mural celebrates the legacy of entertainment on this land for over 300 years. Many historic and living contributors are honored on 6000 sq ft wall, there still are many individuals which that are not included, let us honor their legacy by starting conversations that sharing their names, their story, and craft.