Spiegel Building Mural

Renew Moline and the City of Moline selected local artist Brandon Nees to create a mural installation at the Spiegel Building on River Drive in downtown Moline. Through a competitive process, Brandon Nees’s proposal was chosen from among twenty-eight submissions.

The purpose of the Spiegel mural project is to beautify and draw attention to the building, a City-owned asset and important piece of the historic fabric of downtown. The Spiegel building is also at the center of the redevelopment area created by the I-74 bridge project. The public art project is designed to both encourage dialogue about the future development of the area and create curiosity and interest in the building by imagining the “possibility”.

Brandon Nees describes his style as “an abstract taste of contemporary typography using mixed media”. In his bio Brandon wrote: “I believe my work commands the attention of passers-by, rewards the focus of new as well as seasoned collectors, and transforms a plain surface into work of art made to last for generations. My goal for every painting is to make a lasting impression and provoke self-reflection. I find motivation in my own journey towards being a better person and relaying that through my art to help guide others down a path of self-care and consciousness to the world around us.” Public Art Steering Committee members were excited by the “street art” style of Brandon Nees’ proposal. Quad City Arts Executive Director and Public Art Steering Committee member Kevin Maynard stated that “This proposal is unique.  There really isn’t another public art project like it in the Quad Cities.