In an effort to turn Niles into a destination known for celebrating history through fine art, two women are looking toward the city’s past.

“When people think of Holland (Michigan) they think of tulips. We want people to think of great history and art when they think of Niles,” said Jeanne Watson, one of two women spearheading an effort to bring a public art project to the City of Four Flags through the formation of a Niles Public Art Commission.

Watson and Fredda Zeiter presented their idea Monday to the Niles City Council, which could decide on the formation of the art commission as early as the council’s next meeting July 27.

The proposal includes a three-phase plan that would begin with the installation of a sculpture entitled “Generations” by Tuck Langland, a sculptor whose works appear in museums and public places across the country, outside of the Niles District Library.

“He has sculptures that are international and he has agreed to be a consultant free if we proceed with this plan,” Watson said.

For the second phase, the Richard Hunt sculpture in Riverfront Park will be relocated to a more visible place after the completion of the Main Street Bridge replacement project.

“We are so privileged to have that (sculpture),” Watson said.

Once that is finished, the commission would work on securing funding for the placement of 10 sculptures within Niles Riverfront Park as part of the third phase.

Each sculpture, Watson said, would reflect a portion of Niles’ history.

For example, Watson said one sculpture could be of the famous Niles writer Ring Lardner. Others could include the Dodge brothers, musician Tommy James and the Potawatomi Native Americans.

Watson said Niles native and professional fundraiser Jack Strayer has volunteered to lead efforts to raise money for the public art project. Possible donors, she said, could include the “Lardner Foundation” (for the Lardner sculpture) and Four Winds Casinos (for the Potowatomi sculpture), among others.

“We are talking about a million dollars worth of sculpture in the park, but those are people that will donate that won’t donate to anything else,” Watson said. “I don’t think we will take donations away from the general public.”

Watson and Zeiter said they believe the sculptures would attract tourists — even tour buses — to Niles, resulting in additional revenue for Niles restaurants and businesses.

“It is going to encourage a different group of people to come into town,” said Zeiter. “It is going to promote tourism and, we think, bring money into this town that it certainly could use.”

Watson and Zeiter also think the sculptures would help retain and teach Niles history, especially to young people.

“The idea is to keep Niles history alive and honor the arts,” Watson said.

The commission would be comprised of five to seven people appointed by the mayor to three-year terms. It would make recommendations for public art projects to the city council, which would have final approval.

“We are ready to go anytime we are approved,” said Watson, adding that they have five people interested in joining the committee.

Watson also said the proposed ideas are subject to change.