KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Murals Project will host a free, family-friendly Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 624 57th St., inviting residents and visitors to celebrate public art and community. Organizers say guests can expect live entertainment, hands-on activities and the chance to watch artists work on tentative murals during the event. Admission is open to all ages.
The project aims to complete nine murals in downtown Kenosha to highlight local history and culture while drawing more people to the city’s core. The effort is a partnership among Kenosha Creative Space, the City of Kenosha, the Kenosha Community Foundation, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades–District Council No. 7, Liftpro LLC of Kenosha, JDR Painting of Kenosha, and Rust-Oleum Corporation, which donated its Artist Line of Rust-O® spray paint.
Rust-Oleum’s “Spray It Forward” program is backing a 5,000-square-foot piece titled “Place of the Pike,” the company’s first such mural in Wisconsin. “Every community has a story. Rust-Oleum wants to help transform blank walls into powerful art with its Spray It Forward mural program,” said Megan Newton, director of product management for spray paints at Rust-Oleum. “This impactful initiative brings together artists and nonprofits to celebrate creativity, cultural storytelling and meaningful neighborhood connections by bringing bold visions to life using Rust-O spray paint.”
Three murals are already complete downtown: “Place of the Pike,” by Mexico City artist Julio Loyola, on the east side of the former First National Bank Building at 625 57th St.; “The Kenosha Kraken,” by Kenosha artist Leeanna Chipana, on the west wall of Modern Apothecary at 5700 Sixth Ave.; and “Proudly Made in Kenosha,” designed by Kevin Hannaman and painted by Kenosha artist Dean Tawwater, on the south wall of the former Kenosha Theater at Sixth Avenue and 60th Street. Six additional murals are planned as funding is secured, including “K-Town” by Kelly Witte; a community painting workshop led by Don Krumpos and Erin LaBonte of Yonder in Algoma; “Frida y Diego en Kenosha: Un Beso para el Futuro” by Mauricio Ramerez of Milwaukee; “The River Remembers” by Sylvia Hect of Osceola; “The Wooly Mammoth” by Indianapolis artist Drew Etienne; and a work developed with the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism and community members by Milwaukee artist Tia Richardson.
Saturday’s Block Party will feature live music from Malcolm Wright Music (1–3 p.m.) and Spirit Shakers (5–7 p.m.). Food vendors include Aragon Tacos Borrachos, Mr. Wings and Rica Arepa. Guests will find interactive art stations such as a Coloring Book Tent and live mural painting directed by Resa Willis, along with a mural movie screening/workshop by Tia Richardson.
Event-goers can also browse a merchandise tent with Kenosha Murals T-shirts and artist apparel by Dean Tawwater, Julio Loyola and Leeanna Chipana. Community booths are scheduled to include Rust-Oleum, Festival Orgullo Hispano and Hot Mess Studios. For general information, organizers direct questions to the Kenosha Murals Project.
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