Mark Alsum Completes Third Orange City Mural

ORANGE CITY -– The newest mural in Orange City is finished, thanks to artist Mark Alsum and Orange City Arts.

Alsum has painted two other murals in Orange City — the 2011 mural at Dove Christian Bookstore, and in 2013, a mural on the Orange City Floral building. He is an Alton native who received his bachelor’s in art from Northwestern College. He and his family now live in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where he is a mechanic at Spoke N Gear.

The mural is on the east side of the First Impact building, west of the Orange City post office. It features backlit yellow-gold tulips, with a blue sky and outlines of tree trunks and branches.

The mural is dedicated to the memory of Joyce Bloemendaal, who served as executive director of the Orange City Arts Council for 22 years, from 1986 to 2008. She passed away June 18.

The ribbon-cutting and dedication were held at 9am Friday, July 24… see photo below. At the dedication, Renee Noteboom said a few words about Joyce: “I met Joyce in 1974. She was head organist at Calvary Church and I always admired her as someone who really understood and loved making music. When I started taking organ lessons from her, I learned that she had an eye for detail. She was practically faultless as a musician, whether she was playing organ, flute or accompanying the choir…

“I served on the Arts Council with Joyce in the 90s, and again I was impressed by her organizational skills and attention to detail. She was careful, but not afraid to try new things in her effort to bring appreciation of diverse types of art to Orange City. Beyond that, she wanted to show people how they could participate in art of many kinds… Missoula Children’s Theater and the community band involved many community people. Summer Suites brought art to people’s backyards…

“Joyce leaves a great legacy and though I think she might be embarrassed by the attention, she is so deserving of this honor. Joyce had a positive and visible impact on Orange City. We are blessed to enjoy the gifts she shared with us.”

Thanks to Pluim Publishing and the Sioux County Capital-Democrat for permission to reproduce their story on the mural, below.

Occasional assistants in painting the mural were Chris White, Hal Alsum Jr., Hal Alsum Sr., Steve Mahr and Erin Edzards. Mark’s wife Rebecca and son Wyatt are pictured with him on the homepage of orangecityarts.net.

The mural is being funded by Orange City Arts and private donors. First Reformed Church — owners of the First Impact building — and Diamond Vogel Paint are also assisting with the cost of the mural. Orange City Arts welcomes contributions. Send to PO Box 202, or drop your contribution in city hall mail slot– attention Orange City Arts. Or donate online here!