If you've taken a stroll through downtown Manchester recently, you may have noticed some holiday magic happening! Local storefronts have come alive with color, creativity, and festive spirit as local artists paint their own interpretations of the season onto windows throughout the city. The result is a walkable gallery of joy that brightens the colder months — and reflects the heart of our community.

This year, Members First Credit Union is honored to serve as a Visionary Partner for the Holiday Painted Windows initiative, a program led by the vibrant and community-centered Mosaic Art Collective.

"This partnership is so much more just than a sponsorship to us; it's a celebration of what makes Manchester so special," says Christine Wheeler, Director of Marketing & Community Development at Members First.

It’s also part of Members First’s growing commitment to Illuminating Change—our initiative dedicated to uplifting the individuals, organizations, and stories that strengthen our community.

A Tradition That Brings Manchester Together

Mosaic Art Collective’s Holiday Painted Windows program began with a simple idea: make art accessible, visible, and woven into the life of Manchester. Each year, local artists reinterpret holiday themes through their own creative lens, transforming windows into canvases that celebrate winter, storytelling, culture, and community spirit.

For families strolling downtown, local employees on their lunch breaks, small business owners welcoming customers, and visitors discovering Manchester for the first time, the painted windows offer a moment of delight and connection.

As a Visionary Partner, Members First is proud to help bring this experience to life: not only through financial support, but through our shared belief in the power of creativity to bring people together.

Q&A with Mosaic Art Collective Founder & President Liz Pieroni

What does the Holiday Painted Windows initiative mean to you and to Mosaic Art Collective, and why is it important for Manchester as a community?

The Holiday Painted Windows initiative is incredibly meaningful to me and to Mosaic Art Collective. While we have primarily focused on building our community of artists in the gallery, this project allowed us to showcase local talent in a highly visible, public forum. It embodies everything we strive to do—bring artists, businesses, and community members together through creativity. Watching downtown come alive with original artwork transforms everyday storefronts into moments of joy, wonder, and connection, reminding us that art can brighten a sidewalk, spark conversation, and make people feel welcomed in their own city.

For Mosaic, this project represents our mission in action. It provides paid opportunities for artists, celebrates their talent publicly, and strengthens relationships with small businesses invested in Manchester’s vitality. Seeing so many businesses request to participate this year shows how much our community values creative placemaking and the essential role of the arts in our culture.

For Manchester, the Holiday Painted Windows have become more than decoration—they’re a shared experience. They invite people to slow down, explore downtown, support local shops, and feel part of something festive and hopeful. In a season centered on community, this initiative brings people together while highlighting the warmth, creativity, and resilience that define our city. We are excited to continue growing this project and look forward to many more years of engaging the community through art.

How does the partnership with Members First Credit Union help support or strengthen the program’s mission of making art accessible throughout the city?

Our partnership with Members First Credit Union plays a key role in strengthening our mission to make art accessible throughout the city. Their support allows us to compensate artists fairly and expand the number of businesses we can include in the project. By investing directly in creative placemaking, Members First helps bring original artwork into everyday public spaces where everyone can enjoy it. Their commitment amplifies the reach and impact of the Holiday Painted Windows, making art a shared experience for the entire community.

What impact do you hope the artwork has on the people who experience it—residents, visitors, and local businesses alike?

I hope the artwork brings a moment of joy and wonder to everyone who experiences it—whether they’re walking to work, visiting a local shop, or exploring Manchester for the first time. These windows are meant to make our downtown feel welcoming, vibrant, and full of life. For residents, I hope they inspire pride in our city; for visitors, a sense of discovery; and for businesses, increased engagement and a stronger connection to the community. Ultimately, I hope the artwork reminds people that creativity has the power to lift spirits and bring us together.

How can greater Manchester residents become more involved with the Mosaic mission?

Greater Manchester residents can get involved with the Mosaic mission in many meaningful ways. They can attend our exhibitions and events—our opening receptions are held every Second Saturday from 5–7 pm—and support local artists by purchasing their work. Volunteers are always welcome for community art projects like the Holiday Painted Windows, gallery sitting, or serving on our board. Residents can also join workshops, subscribe to our mailing list, follow us on social media, or simply help spread the word about the creative work happening in our city. Every level of involvement strengthens our mission to make art accessible, inclusive, and vibrant throughout Manchester.

Spotlight on Artist Daniela Wenzel

At our Salmon Street branch, we are thrilled to feature the work of local artist Daniela Wenzel, whose talent and warmth shine through every brushstroke. Daniela’s holiday mural has quickly become a community favorite — members, employees, and neighbors can’t help but stop and admire the vibrant colors, whimsical details, and joyful scenes displayed across our windows.

Daniela’s artistic process is rooted in storytelling. Her work often brings together themes of nature, warmth, and belonging—themes that strongly align with Members First’s commitment to community connection. For this year’s display, she created a piece that feels festive and inviting, transforming the Salmon Street branch into a small celebration of the season.

Visitors have shared compliments, snapped photos, and even brought friends by to see the mural in person. The windows make our branch feel brighter, cozier, and more connected to the fabric of downtown Manchester, which is a true testament to Daniela’s talent and imagination.

A Conversation with Daniela Wenzel

What inspired the design you created for the Salmon Street mural this year, and what story or feeling were you hoping to convey through your artwork?

This design was inspired by Scandinavian Christmas esthetics combined with my own sense of whimsy and holiday iconography. I wanted to include some local animals, traditions and greenery as well, hence there are a couple Salmon found in the mural. The rather large window painting is very much mirrored and I personally find symmetry a calming element in rather stormy times.

What is your favorite part of participating in the Holiday Painted Windows project, and what does it mean to you personally to have your work displayed in the community?

I am so blown away by how well this project was received by the Manchester community, and I don’t mean just the arts community. It seems to have brought people together in a combined sense of gladness, peace and cheer.

How do you hope people feel when they walk by or interact with your mural on the Members First branch windows?

I am hoping to bring smiles on anyone’s face who encounters this rather colorful and happy window painting and maybe bring some nostalgia to mind, some warmth into their hearts and hope for the next year.

How can people who like your art contact you?

I am mostly on Instagram @danielawenzelart, but also have a neglected website www.danielawenzel.com

Why This Partnership Matters

This collaboration with Mosaic Art Collective fits naturally with what Members First has always believed: when you invest in local creativity, you invest in the heart of the community.

Our support for the Holiday Painted Windows is an extension of our long-standing commitment to uplifting the organizations and individuals who help Manchester thrive. You may have seen this commitment in our previous community spotlights — including partnerships with MPAL, Families in Transition, and many others. Each one reflects a piece of the larger story we’re building through Illuminating Change.

By helping bring art downtown during one of the busiest and most celebratory times of year, we hope to inspire joy, encourage exploration, and strengthen our city’s sense of togetherness.

And because these windows are created by local artists and hosted by local businesses, the project celebrates our small, interconnected ecosystem: a place where creativity fuels pride, pride fuels connection, and connection fuels belonging.

Experience the Holiday Painted Windows Yourself

If you haven’t had a chance yet, we hope you’ll take time this season to enjoy the displays throughout the city:

 

• Stroll through downtown with family or friends
• Visit local shops participating in the program
• Stop by Members First’s Salmon Street branch to see Daniela Wenzel’s mural up close
• Share your favorite windows on social media to help support the artists
• Make a day of exploring Manchester’s small businesses, cafes, and holiday happenings

This seasonal tradition brings so much joy to our community, and we can’t wait for you to see it for yourself.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To explore the full Holiday Painted Windows initiative and learn more about Mosaic Art Collective and their mission, visit their website at mosaicartcollective.com.

As we prepare for the exciting next chapter of Illuminating Change in 2026, we invite you to follow along with our community stories, local partnerships, and initiatives that help light the way for positive impact in Manchester.

From all of us at Members First, thank you for supporting local artists, local businesses, and the creative energy that makes our city shine — especially during the holiday season.