There’s a whole lot of painting going on in Eau Claire right now, and not just summer house painting or graffiti artists spray painting here and there. 

The recently announced Public Street Art Project (PSAP) has joined the latest surge in public art projects around E.C., including the Public Mural Project and the Public Painting Project.

One of the gorgeous murals located across Color Block (pun-ny, isn't it?)

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The Public Street Art Project (PSAP) aims to decorate the very ground Eau Claire folks walk in with local artwork. “Communities around the world have used street art as a way to bring neighbors together and enhance the appearance of their neighborhood,” stated the news release announcing PSAP, issued in mid-June by the City’s Engineering Department. As might be expected, there is a LOT involved as the City encourages creativity within the guidelines to help ensure public safety. Its information and application packet is eight pages long, and includes over one page of public art regulations. 

 

 

Artist Rehannah Petska's 'Love is the Key' mural.

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Local artists Jo Ellen Burke and Sylvia Hecht founded the Public Painting Project in January 2022. Local artists Jo Ellen Burke and Sylvia Hecht founded the Public Painting Project in January 2022. They also are mural-based. Their group of artists recently completed a mural with the theme “Our Community’s Outdoor Gatherings” on the back of a mini-storage unit at 1128 First Avenue in Eau Claire. For more info, visit its Facebook page!

 

 

Madison-based artist Sylvia Annelise Hecht's mural, 'Sanctuary.'

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The Public Mural Project is well underway as evidenced by the tour map of 11 murals in downtown Eau Claire. The range is vast—from “Charging Troop” with the horses he’s known for created by local artist Terry Meyer to the politically significant “Black Lives Matter” created by artist Brittany Tainter to the “Sanctuary” mural featuring sandhill cranes in flight against a backdrop of teal created by 2021 Oxbow Hotel Artist in Residence Sylvia Hecht. The guide for creating murals and prepared by the City Planning Department is one page.