Chris Garcia fell in love with art as a child, first through graffiti and later as a tattoo artist and muralist. So when he was commissioned to create a mural for the Next Center, it marked a major milestone in his artistic journey.
"It was amazing. To have my art featured in such a significant space, especially one that symbolizes growth and creativity, is beyond humbling,” Garcia says. “It’s an honor to contribute to a place that inspires innovation.”
“Waves of Innovation,” which he calls his largest and most prominent piece to date, celebrates Holland’s entrepreneurial spirit.
The mural on the interior wall of the Next Center captures the energy and vibrancy of Holland’s entrepreneurial landscape.
With flowing waves inspired by Lake Michigan and a kite surfer propelled by wind in front of the iconic Big Red lighthouse, the artwork embodies the synergy between natural beauty and technological progress.
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Courtesy Lakeshore AdvantageLakeshore Advantage commissioned muralist Chris Garcia to decorate the interior of their new building, the Next Center.
Showcasing creativity
The mural was funded with grants from the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) and the Holland Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
"At the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, we're always looking for unique ways to promote our community's charm and innovation,” says Linda Hart, executive director of the Holland Area CVB. "By supporting this project, we're not only enhancing our local tourism landscape but also showcasing Holland's commitment to innovation and creativity. We believe this striking artwork will draw more visitors to explore our area, potentially extending their stays and contributing to our thriving local economy."
Jason Latham, executive director of MACC, agrees the mural has captured the area’s cultural and entrepreneurial landscape.
“By blending art with technology and entrepreneurship, this mural stands for the kind of multifaceted initiatives that MACC believes will have an enduring positive impact on our community,” says
Jason Latham, MAAC executive director. “It's an investment in our cultural landscape that we expect will inspire current and future generations of innovators and creators in our area.”
Garcia says he was inspired at age 12 by the hip-hop documentary “Style Wars.”
“That film showed me the power of graffiti, breakdancing, and other elements of hip-hop culture. It wasn’t about money; it was about expression and passion.
“Me and friends, we started painting on trains, break dancing, trying to be rappers and all this fun stuff as teenagers, and it was just a hobby,” says Garcia, now 41. “It was nothing like, ‘Oh, we're gonna be something someday. We just got inspired by that documentary, and we all just went out and had fun as teenagers, and a lot of that entailed painting graffiti.
“All through middle school and high school, I was still continuing to draw graffiti and make graffiti in my room and on art and customizing clothing and all this fun stuff. And then at about 21 I started getting a few more paid gigs and working with different concert promoters.”
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Courtesy of Lakeshore AdvantageLakeshore Advantage commissioned muralist Chris Garcia to decorate the interior of their new building, the Next Center.
Larger projects
In the 1990s, graffiti was often criticized as vandalism. Still, Garcia’s talent helped him transition from street art to commissioned murals.
His first major project came in 2015 with a mural for 205 Coffee Bar in downtown Holland, which opened the community’s eyes to the value of public art.
“That mural was a turning point,” Garcia says. “It helped people see that murals can transform spaces and bring communities together.”
Garcia’s work on the 205 Coffee Bar not only transformed the coffee shop’s facade but also caught the attention of local business owners. This led to his next major opportunity: creating the “Dream Big” mural on the Holland building, at 166 W. 13th St., where his tattoo studio, H Town Ink, is located. The business carries the nickname Garcia has called his hometown.
“The ‘Dream Big’ mural was a special project,” says Garcia. “It was inspired by conversations with kids and community members about their aspirations. That mural not only became a symbol of hope and creativity but also opened the door for me to establish my studio in the same space. Six years later, I’m still here, and it feels like everything came full circle.”
Garcia attributes much of his success to his family’s support. As a father (and grandfather) in a blended family with seven children, he often involves his children in his creative process.
“My family has always been my biggest support system,” he says. “They love watching me work and being part of the process. It’s amazing to share my passion with them.”