Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2023

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024

Best New Mural

Murals have been popping up all over the Valley – even under bridges – which is where you’ll find the No. 1 Best New Mural, “Frank” by Chris Johnson. “Frank” is a funky, fun, blue crab-like monster that stands 33 feet tall and resides under the River Prairie bridge in Altoona. Next summer he’ll have some monster friends joining him on the 78-foot wide wall, where they’ll greet bikers, skaters, walkers, and joggers on the path through River Prairie. This next mural you’ll really want to immerse yourself in is “Wings” by Caitlin Plaisance (Down To Earth Garden Center, 6025 Arndt Lane, Eau Claire). The wings are painted on an old storage tank so viewers can take photos of themselves in the guise of angels or birds. Our last Best New Mural of 2022 is an American flag mural by Kelsey Johnson at Markquart Motors (2191 S. Prairie View Road, Chippewa Falls). This fun and patriotic mural was chosen by Markquart Motors as winner of its annual mural competition. It will eventually be auctioned off  to benefit the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute Foundation. –Measha Vieth