WAUSAU — Nearly two dozen artists will descend this week on the north end of Third Street, from the Glass Hat to Loppnow’s, to create as many murals on private businesses and homes for a street art contest over ARTrageous Weekend.
Art Lives Here is Wausau’s first street art contest and will launch on Thursday, Sept. 7. The idea for the contest came from Gisy Marks, owner of the Glass Hat bar and a long-time supporter of local art and artists. In a conversation with Wausau River District, the idea started to become a reality. From there, the idea began to take shape and come in to reality. As the group discussed the street art contest, the importance of having and keeping homegrown artists in a city was a central point of discussion. To drive that importance home, “Art Lives Here” became the name of the contest.
A call for artists was put out and over 20 responses came in over two weeks for 27 possible mural locations on the secured by Marks on the north end of Third Street, an area with strong potential for artistic revitalization. Artists are now preparing to install and paint murals over ARTrageous weekend as a complement to the activities going on further south on Third Street.
Artists begin registering at noon on Thursday, Sept. 7, and start painting that day. All works must be complete and installed by 1 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday, DJ Defunct will play music from noon to 8 p.m. and Newch’s Bahn Mi food truck will be on site serving its specialty Vietnamese egg rolls and sandwiches.
The public is encouraged to attend Art Lives Here through the weekend and see artists in action as they create their works of art. Art Lives Here will be supplying first ($750), second ($350), and third ($150) place prizes to artists receiving the top three votes.
Votes will be cast by donors only, and donations are welcome and encouraged from the public. Any amount donated receives an equal vote in Art Lives Here, and donations can be made at the Glass Hat Bar or Wausau River District office.
