March 20, 2018 – West Bend, WI – The Downtown West Bend Association is gearing up for the 6th annual Banner ArtWalk 2018!
Fifty hand-painted banners will be on display at the Museum of Wisconsin Art on Saturday, May 12. The banners will be hung from the second-floor railing in the atrium at the entrance to the museum.
“We are currently looking for artists,” said Anna Jensen, events director of the DWBA.
“This year artists will be offered a rotating date at a Farmers’ Market booth and we will be awarding a 1st place $250 prize, 2nd place $100 prize and a $50 prize for the best student banner.”
​Interested artists can contact Anna@downtownwestbend.com or call 262-338-3909. A sample of work will be required online to qualify.
Artist and banner organizer Chris Porter said the idea started as a way to help beautify the downtown.
“We didn’t have the money for flower baskets and it was a good way to take old Christmas banners and repaint them,” she said.
“The first year we learned a lot, the second year we learned more, and from year to year it’s getting better; we have a lot of talent here and I’d love to see it continue forever and ever.”
Those taking in the event will also be able to explore the Museum of Wisconsin Art free of charge.
The banners are painted by local artists and they’ve received rave reviews in the past.
“They’re beautiful and unique and everyone has its own little story,” said Jan Nesladek of West Bend.
“I was surprised at the quality of some of the work because it’s very good and widely varied,” said Bob Bergstrom of West Bend.
“It beautifies our downtown and it gets people to go downtown,” said Grace Wright. “I give Chris Porter a lot of credit this had to be a huge project.”
“I’m really impressed with the artwork and especially the fact there are a lot of students involved,” said Carol Casadonte, formerly of Tomahawk.
Banners from previous years will be auctioned off. Money raised will go to support the banner ArtWalk project.