Four Finalists Picked for New Downtown Bettendorf Mural
You can help choose the artist who will create a new public-art mural for downtown Bettendorf.
Four finalists have been chosen for the collaborative mural project between the Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) and Quad City Arts. The public is encouraged to vote for your favorite concept now through June 1. Vote at www.downtownbettendorf.org/blog/cast-your-vote-help-choose-bettendorfs-new-mural.
The winner will be announced at DBO’s “Be Downtown” event on Saturday, June 7. Painting the mural will commence through June, with an unveiling planned in early July, according to a DBO news release.
The new mural will be located on the west-facing wall at 312 17th St. It will serve as a welcome to downtown Bettendorf, enhancing community pride, beautification and increasing public awareness of the arts.
Quad City Arts was contracted by DBO to facilitate this project and will work closely with the artist chosen to ensure the project aligns with the goals of the initiative – Quad City Arts is not involved in the selection process.
“This new mural will be a major step in adding to the vibrancy of downtown and encouraging visitors and Quad Citizens to stop and spend some time in our urban core,” said Ryan Jantzi, the DBO’s executive director. “The Downtown Bettendorf Organization will continue to invest in art to enhance livability and to contribute to the well-being of our visitors and citizens.”
This image shows the four finalist concepts for the new downtown Bettendorf mural, at 312 17h St. — top to bottom are by Jeremy Jarvis, Columbus, Ohio, Atlanta Dawn, East Moline, William Gustafson, Rock Island, and Michael Ferrarell, Chicago.
Ben Gougeon, Quad City Arts’ director of community engagement, stated: “We’re thrilled to be working with the Downtown Bettendorf Organization on making this mural come to life. Arts are both an economic driver and one of the greatest factors in improving an area’s quality of life, and it’s inspiring not only to see the talent in our region that submitted their artwork, but also to see Bettendorf investing in making their downtown area a vibrant destination.”
The four finalists (and their concepts) for the project are:
1) “Arches” by William Gustafson – This concept is to show time periods through the arches.
- On the left side depicts the early years of Bettendorf and the industry, with the Bettendorf train wheels being a recognized, revolutionized design. The riverboats (similar to the Julian Swain) and the Velie Monocoupe airplane were first built in Bettendorf and tested at an early small airfield in Bettendorf. The Pelicans have made a comeback -historically Black Hawk wrote about these large birds as the “spirit of the island.”
- The center arch contains the present time with the distant River Center, Isle Casino, the Celebration Belle, a person riding a one-wheel, and a kid riding her bike in the foreground. The Bettendorf logo is engraved in the concrete. A bald eagle soars onto the center of the wall. A Blue Angel jet streams by in the sky — pulling the composition together.
- The right arch contains the new 1-74 bridge spanning into the present and glimmering in the sunrise for years to come. A personal passenger drone flies into the mural from above, and a solar electric car driving into the future.
2) “Bettendorf, IA: Then & Now” by Michael Ferrarell
To commemorate the City of Bettendorf, both then and now, I’ve arranged a series of native images bridging Bettendorf’s industrial and agricultural roots to its modern-day self as a hub for leisure, recreation, families, and community. The images on the left reflect Bettendorf’s past while the images on the right play into the city’s present. The 2 sections are centrally conjoined by what will be a modern take on a vintage postcard that will utilize the new bridge to metaphorically connect Bettendorf’s past and present.
The current vintage postcard is undeniably nostalgic, however, Bettendorf’s bird’s eye view of town along with the I-74 bridge have gone through drastic changes in recent years. I’m hoping to replace the outdated view with a modern image of town that incorporates the bridge as it stands today and am interested in committee/community input as to what that looks like in 2025 – It could simply be an illustration of the bridge or a refreshed bird’s eye view. The updated image will remain accompanied by an outline of the state reminding viewers that they are in fact on the better side of the river.
The cluster of imagery on the composition’s left side is an homage to Bettendorf’s undeniable success with industrial manufacturing and of course, one of the region’s earliest and still active industries, onion farming. The straw hatted locals pictured within are seen grading onions sometime in the early 1960’s accompanied by an illustration of their harvest.
While agriculture has remained since the days of Lillienthal and Gilbert, industrial manufacturing is seen as Bettendorf’s more significant endeavor of yesteryear and still continues in some fashion today. To celebrate the city’s pivotal mark on 20th century manufacturing, I’ve shared some of the most illustrious examples of American steel ever to come out of Bettendorf; metal wheels, box cars, t-trucks, and steel castings were big business throughout the turn of the 20th century and revolutionized the way we utilize both road and rail.
Moving towards more recent times and present day, Bettendorf has evolved into a modern destination to live, work, and play. To depict today’s Bettendorf, I put a lot of focus on the revitalization of the riverfront and everything it has to offer locals and visitors alike. Kayaking, recreation paths, riverboat entertainment, and the oculus are some great ways to enjoy life on the river. If you head inland, there’s no shortage of cycling trails, city parks, breweries, community events, and recreation facilities for the whole family to enjoy.
3) “Special People in a Special Place” by Atlanta Dawn
A stained glass-inspired tapestry of light and color, reflecting the heart of Bettendorf — its vibrant culture, its flowing landscapes, and the quiet beauty of nature.
4) “Spirit of Bettendorf” by Jeremy Jarvis
This mural celebrates the rich heritage and forward momentum of Bettendorf, Iowa, weaving together elements of its agricultural, industrial, and cultural identity. Designed as a visual journey from past to present, the composition flows from left to right, symbolizing the city’s evolution through time.
In the upper left, a hand holding green onions honors Iowa’s agricultural roots and the region’s history of onion farming. Just to the right, the bronze sculpture known as The Skipper stands proudly, a tribute to the beloved riverfront statue that stood for two decades before its theft in 2020. Below them, the iconic green I-74 bridge which was dismantled in 2023 spans the mural as a nod to the infrastructure that once connected the Quad Cities. Anchoring the lower left is the old Bettendorf Metal Wheel Company factory, later known as Bettendorf Steel Car Works, symbolizing the city’s industrial foundations and early innovation.
At the heart of the mural, the city’s name, “Bettendorf,” stretches boldly across the design against a dark background, emphasizing its central role in the narrative. The silhouette of Iowa appears beneath the name, with a bright white star marking Bettendorf’s location, surrounded by a dynamic red and blue starburst, symbolizing pride and energy. Light, playful clouds drift across the design, softening the visual and adding a whimsical quality.
Beneath the city name are the logos of Bettendorf High School and Pleasant Valley High School, representing the city’s youth, education, and community spirit. To the right, the new I-74 bridge rises, arching toward the future and symbolizing progress, connectivity, and renewal. Below it, the Celebration Belle riverboat reflects the historical and ongoing presence of riverboats along the Mississippi, an ever-present force in the city’s development. Large, stylized waves emphasize the river’s power and importance in shaping Bettendorf’s identity.
On the far right, a runner moves forward, representing the city’s many trails, parks, and commitment to outdoor wellness. The figure also symbolizes vitality, motion, and the ongoing journey of Bettendorf’s growth. In the top corner, “est. 1903” marks the city’s incorporation, grounding the mural in its proud origins. Together, these elements create a vibrant and thoughtful tribute to Bettendorf—a city with deep roots, strong community values, and a clear path to the future.
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