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Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
i
Home | Contact Us
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Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.i
Jacksonville Main Street Wall Dog Extravaganza
In 2002, the Design Committee decided that blank walls near parking lots and other highly visible areas of downtown would be enhanced with artwork. After investigation, the committee discovered that just one moderate-sized mural could cost nearly $15,000 - a figure far beyond the committee's budget... so the idea got shelved until they learned that another Illinois town had a group of artist/sign painters assit with a large-scale project that provided several historic depictions throughout their downtown.
Following more than eighteen months of research, meetings, field trips, phone calls, volunteer recruiting, and solicitation of support, the Design Committee produced the Wall Dog Extravaganza... a week-long event to produce 10 heritage-based pieces of public art in higly visible locations within the Jacksonville Main Street District.
And Wow - what a week! June 19-25 of 2006 was a whirlwind, with nearly 60 professional sign painters from across the globe descending upon Jacksonville to create the historic murals in a style reminiscent of the old-time traveling commercial sign painters known as Wall Dogs.
The whole community was encouraged to get involved - and they did. From making sure the muralists had all the materials they needed to providing refreshments (even baking treats!) for the painting crews, from serving at the Dog-Gone Summer Night wrap up party to actually painting on the murals, from bringing friends and family downtown to watch the progress to purchasing original art by the painters to reimburse their expenses on the project, the entire town came out in support of the project... and we appreciate that support! (So did the painters - who felt like royalty!) The result was one of the largest, most meaningful celebrations in Jacksonville history... and an artistic gift to our community that will not only attract tourists to reflect upon our unique background, but serve as a reminder of our heritage for generations to come.
Thanks to all the event sponsors:
Also thanks to Inner Harmony, Fred Standley, Dr. Susan Weller, Ralph Gonzalez, Premier Bank, Reg and Cindy Benton, First Bank, Helen Baldwin, JoAnne Beard, Rand and Pat Burnette, Charlie Bellatti, and Roy French for their special support. We can't forget the help from Production Xpress, Home Depot, Voelkel Glass, Jacksonville Journal Courier, Doyle Plumbing and Heating, Buchheit, Neon and Fluorescent, Sablotny Paint, Central Rentals, American Rentals, Primo Designs, LaCrosse Lumber, Jacksonville Country Club, A. Gaudio & Sons, Muggsy's, Don's Place, Loren Becker, Comfort Inn, Irish Toad, Due Gatti, Nestle, Pactiv, County Market, WJVO/WJIL Radio, and WLDS/WEAI Radio.
And a GREAT BIG THANKS to Steve Varble for coordinating the event! Special thanks to the planning committee: Dorthy Brooks, Joey Henry, Beth Racey, Sharon Mather, Darrin Gehrke, Becky Baumgart, Laura Marks, Mary Henry, Tom Schierl, Patty Anderson, Clare Lind Porter, Luke McQuillan, Amy Ward, and Alban Haxhinasto. (Thanks also to Production Press, Cara Heller, and Joe Racey for helping with the later production of the mural maps!)
And all the volunteers, too (sorry if we left out a name!): Harley Anderson, Karen Anderson, Joy French Becker, Skip & Peggy Bradshaw, Sue Brosmith, Elizabeth Becker Bryant, Mike Camielli, Jon Carls, Suzy Cotter, Jeff Coultas, Ronnie Dawdy, Amanda Deady, Mark, Eric Decker, Hunter Eden, Ginny Fanning, Chris Fouts, Kristen Heaton, Maggie Henry, Ann & Bob Hoffman, Kristan Becker Hoffman, Bobby Hoffman, Scott & Emily Hudson, Megan Jackson, Christopher Caldwell Jacques, Mickey Marks, Gary Mather, JB Meier, Rachelle Morrisey, Kathy Mussat, Skip Nelson, Greg Olson, Suzy Pennell, Mary Pollock, Jan Ryan, Jan Terry, Cassandra & Ryan Turner, Tiffany and Steve Warmowski, Margaret Wagner, Judy & Reuel Wright, Russ Barnard and the MacMurray College tent crew, Don Fernandes, Dan Beard, Chuck Newport, Allan Mallicoat, Mark Schierl and the "Rams Tailgaters."
To the Letterheads and Wall Dogs from as far as Australia, California, Ireland, Connecticut, Arkansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, and throughout Illinois (especially Mike Myers, Adam and Sarah May) - we are eternally grateful!
If you haven't yet seen these beautiful murals (and even if you have), please come downtown to take a new look at our history. Mural maps are available at the Jacksonville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Three Legged Dog Cafe, Lincoln Land Community College, and the Jacksonville Main Street office.
