Dozens of Novi volunteers brought local artist Robin Wagner's mural design to life on Wednesday, May 13, painting a vibrant public artwork at Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk that celebrates the city's identity through farming, manufacturing, building, learning and creating.
The mural, titled "In Novi We Can," features a red heart inside concentric patterned rings and patchwork geometric panels, framed by hand-lettered words: "We CAN • FARM • MANUFACTURE • BUILD • LEARN • CREATE." The City of Novi highlighted the finished piece on Wednesday, Aug. 5, celebrating the community's creativity and unity.
Wagner won the city's 2024 Mural Design Contest, which ran from January through April 2024 and drew entries strong enough that the selection committee chose four winners instead of one. Judges evaluated creativity, connection to Novi and overall theme. The first installation was originally expected in spring 2025 at Twelve Mile Crossing, located at 44175 W. Twelve Mile Road, but the painting ultimately took place about a year later as part of Community Impact Day 2026.
A citywide day of service
The mural was one of 24 to 25 projects completed during Novi's inaugural Community Impact Day, organized by the Novi Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's Leadership Novi class spearheaded the effort, which joined a statewide initiative connecting chambers across Michigan.
The day drew 181 volunteers to 15 locations across the city, generating 632 hours of work and more than $22,000 in cost savings, Novi Chamber of Commerce President Katie Chuba told the Novi City Council on June 22. Chuba said the concept was modeled after a West Coast Chamber of Commerce leadership program whose cohort developed the community impact project idea.
Over 40 of those volunteers came from ITC to work on projects at ITC Community Sports Park and along the ITC trail, according to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Commission minutes from May 21.
Public art push continues
The mural aligns with a broader city effort. Novi's 2026 Council goals include developing a citywide public art strategy funded at roughly $1 per resident annually from the general fund, with a target completion by the end of 2026, according to council minutes.
The next Community Impact Day is scheduled for May 12, 2027.
