A burst of color is bringing new life to the Unleash Council Bluffs office and Iowa Welcome Center, celebrating the native plants, pollinators, and natural landscapes that make southwest Iowa unique.
Completed in September 2026, Unleashing Flower Power is a vibrant new mural spanning all four sides of the building. Created by local artist Betni Kalk of Tumusini Art, LLC, the artwork combines bold, brilliant colors with recognizable plants, butterflies, insects, and wildlife found throughout the region.
But the mural is more than a colorful addition to Council Bluffs' growing collection of murals. It's the latest chapter in a multi-year effort to transform the property into a celebration of native landscapes, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Three interpretive panels are also being developed to help visitors discover the stories behind the artwork and surrounding gardens.
A Community Commitment Takes Root
Council Bluffs' commitment to supporting pollinators and expanding native habitats was already taking shape through collaborative efforts involving local organizations and conservation partners. In 2022, the city earned its Bee City USA designation through the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, recognizing its efforts to create healthier environments for pollinators through native plantings and responsible habitat management.
That spring, Unleash Council Bluffs joined the growing community effort by partnering with Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens to transform traditional lawn space around its office and Iowa Welcome Center into a thriving native landscape.
Designed to provide beauty throughout the seasons while supporting pollinators and other wildlife, the gardens became a visible example of the community's commitment to conservation.
What began with native plantings eventually inspired an even more colorful way to share that story.
Bringing the Landscape to Life Through Art
In early 2026, the Unleash Council Bluffs Board of Directors approved a mural proposal from Betni Kalk, whose previous artwork along the FIRST AVE Trail had already contributed to the community's growing collection of public art.
Before putting paint to the building, Kalk met with representatives from Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens to learn about the plants growing on the property and the butterflies, insects, and other wildlife they attract.
That collaboration became an important part of the mural's design. Rather than simply creating a nature-inspired scene, Kalk incorporated recognizable representations of plants and pollinators found on the property and throughout the region, blending ecological accuracy with an energetic, colorful artistic style.
Visitors will also discover Council Bluffs' iconic black squirrel woven into the artwork, adding a distinctly local touch to the larger celebration of nature.
Kalk began painting in spring 2026, and by early September, the building's exterior had been transformed into a four-sided work of art.
A New Opportunity to Learn and Explore
The transformation continues beyond the mural itself.
Unleash Council Bluffs partnered with Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) to develop three interpretive panels that will be installed around the property. Each will share a different part of the story, helping visitors learn more about the region's natural landscapes and the importance of native habitats.
The educational component was supported by a $3,000 Field of Interest Grant from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, helping extend the project's impact beyond visual art and landscaping.
Together, the mural, native gardens, and interpretive panels create an opportunity to experience the connection between public art, conservation, and the natural beauty of southwest Iowa.
Discover Unleashing Flower Power
Whether stopping by the Iowa Welcome Center or exploring Council Bluffs' public art, visitors are encouraged to take a closer look at Unleashing Flower Power.
Walk around all four sides of the building, discover the colorful plants and pollinators depicted in the artwork, and explore the native landscaping that inspired it all.
It's a celebration of local creativity, community partnerships, and the landscapes that make Council Bluffs Unlike Anywhere Else. On Purpose.
