DOWNTOWN BANNER PROJECT

The Holland Area Arts Council is proud to present the Celebrating Diversity Banner Project—a downtown exhibition that honors identity, heritage, and belonging through the power of public art.

This intergenerational initiative features original works by 27 local artists and community groups, ranging from high school students to established creatives and civic leaders. Each work was transformed into a large-scale vinyl banner and installed throughout downtown Holland, creating a public visual dialogue about who we are and how we live together.

The project was developed in close collaboration with local organizations, including Alliance for Cultural & Ethnic Harmony, I AM Academy, Latin Americans United for Progress, City of Holland, CultureWorks, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, Tulip Time Festival, Out On The Lakeshore, and Zeeland High School. Together, we aimed to amplify voices often underrepresented in public space - and to make visible the stories, aesthetics, and perspectives that shape our community.

The accompanying exhibition in the Armstrong Gallery showcases the original works that inspired the banners. Together, the gallery exhibition and public installation invite viewers to reflect on what it means to belong, to be seen, and to celebrate difference.

Over 300 people joined us for the opening reception, a powerful evening of connection, dialogue, and recognition. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing video interviews with selected artists to continue the conversation—and to uplift the artists behind these works.

This project is part of HAAC’s broader commitment to equity, visibility, and access in the arts. We believe that art belongs to everyone, and that public art can build bridges across neighborhoods, generations, and identities. We invite you to view the video below to view all the works and learn the stories about them!