Sculpture Tour Eau Claire invites artists of all ages and experience levels to submit designs to the first ColorBlock Mural project, which will create a new kind of art gallery in Eau Claire opening in the summer. At least 50 selected artists will paint as many 6-foot by 8-foot murals on the walls of the South Barstow Street alley between Brent Douglass Flowers and SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar during the month of June, resulting in a jubilant jumble of works that residents and visitors alike can enjoy 365 days a year at any time of day.

“I wanted it to be really exciting for its inaugural year,” said Kelsey Wenberg, local artist and member of the ColorBlock planning committee.

The organization asks that submissions consider the project’s theme: Imagination. “It allows artists to be true to themselves while creating these pictures that the whole public can relate to,” Wenberg said. The project will serve as fundraiser for the Sculpture Tour. Businesses and individuals can sponsor the space for an individual mural for $400. Half of that total will go to the Sculpture Tour, a locally funded nonprofit, and the remaining half will pay for materials, supplies, and a $100 stipend for participating artists.

“There are certain things that people remember when they visit Eau Claire,” Wenberg said. “ColorBlock will be one of those things that people go home and tell their friends about.” 

Applications for artists are open until March 1. For a copy of the application, email colorblock@sculpturetour.org or visit @colorblock.ec on Facebook.