On a downtown Ames street corner, a quilt shop wall now holds a tree made from 576 small tiles. The mural, called “Unity Tree 2026,” was led by the Ames Noon Kiwanis Club and is built from individual designs contributed by community members. Its canopy moves from summer green to autumn colors; below it, roots spread across the lower part of the wall.
The mural was unveiled Oct. 20 at Quilting Connection, 238 Main St. The Ames Regional Economic Alliance listed a ribbon cutting there that day and described the project as finalized. Its event schedule set the ceremony for noon to 12:30 p.m. Ronna Faaborg’s Ames Tribune report, published Oct. 28 and republished by AOL, recounts the project through interviews with the shop’s owner and its Kiwanis project leader.
Faaborg reported that the 576 tiles are arranged in a 24-by-24 grid. The tree canopy fills the upper part of the design, while roots spread below. The layout gives the mural a quilt-block appearance, with many separate squares forming one large image. At close range, the individual pictures remain visible within the tree’s colors and shapes.
The official Kiwanis mural information sheet describes a custom color palette and pre-painted tiles that frame artist-painted pieces. Each tile came with its own package of supplies, and painters could choose their design. The sheet says a QR code linked to an online learning portal with painting tips and design suggestions. Faaborg reported that community members painted individual tiles, which volunteers later assembled into the finished grid. The guide gave painters practical tools and the freedom to make a design that reflected their interests.
The tiles show a wide range of subjects. Faaborg reported designs with dogs and flowers, sailboats, and Marilyn Monroe. The mural does not ask every contributor to depict the same thing; instead, a color pattern carries the collection into one tree. That mix gives visitors small details to notice alongside the overall shape of the canopy and roots.
The project drew people of different ages. Geri Derner, the Ames Noon Kiwanis secretary and mural project leader, told Faaborg that including children was a major focus. The club’s presence at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market helped it reach families and people of all ages. Derner said Kiwanis wanted “as many kids in there as possible.” Faaborg reported that individuals painted tiles that became part of the completed mural.
Quilting Connection owner Kelly Irwin said the mural was a natural fit for her shop. Faaborg described the store as a downtown fixture for decades. She reported that the Kiwanis group already had its design in mind, and Irwin said the quilt-like image made it appropriate for the building. When the club asked to use her wall, Irwin said, “Why wouldn’t I do this? It was a real no-brainer.” She especially liked the tiles made by young children and hopes families will return to find their pieces.
Installation took weeks of preparation. Faaborg reported that volunteers assembled the mural panels, secured scaffolding and carefully attached the tiles to the wall. Faaborg reported that the tiles were painted aluminum.
The Ames Foundation helped the Kiwanis club find the location through its Ames Murals: An Open Air Gallery initiative. Started in September 2024, the program connects artists and property owners across Ames. The foundation says it aims to give artists places to showcase their work, invite residents and visitors to spend time outdoors, and help small businesses draw traffic with more attractive spaces. It frames murals as part of the city’s vitality and quality of life.
Faaborg reported that the Nebraska-Iowa District Kiwanis Foundation awarded the club its largest grant for the mural: $2,500.
The finished tree keeps the tile designs visible while bringing them into one larger picture. For families and young artists who took part, Irwin’s invitation is simple: return to Main Street, look again and find the small piece they added to the mural.
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