This summer, Downtown Racine will transform into a vibrant outdoor art gallery as the Downtown Racine Corporation unveils its 25th annual public art project featuring 25 giant “Greetings from Racine” postcards.
From June through mid-September, the larger-than-life postcard installations will be displayed throughout downtown, celebrating Racine’s landmarks, culture, creativity, and community spirit while adding colorful public art to the downtown streetscape.
The official unveiling will take place Friday, June 5 during Downtown Racine’s First Friday event. Visitors are encouraged to explore the installations, meet many of the featured artists, and participate in an interactive postcard-themed scavenger hunt.
“We are thrilled to continue this long-standing tradition of public art in Downtown Racine,” said Kelly Kruse. “This year’s ‘Greetings from Racine’ theme celebrates everything that makes our community special while encouraging people to explore downtown in a fun, interactive, and memorable way. Public art has become an important part of Downtown Racine’s identity and creates experiences that bring people together.”
The giant postcard structures were designed and fabricated in collaboration with Gateway Technical College’s Welding Program under the leadership of Professor Kyle Worzala and then transformed into original works of art by a diverse group of local and regional artists.
“Gateway Technical College’s Welding Program is honored and excited to once again partner with the Downtown Racine Corporation on this year’s project,” said Professor Worzala. “Projects like this allow students to apply their skills in a real-world setting while contributing something meaningful and visible to the community. It’s a tremendous source of pride for our students.”
Attendees of all ages are also invited to participate in the Postcard Scavenger Hunt throughout the summer. Participants who complete the scavenger hunt form can pick one of the collectible postcards and be entered for a chance to win one of the giant postcard artworks at the end of the season.
Scavenger hunt forms and maps will be available beginning June 5 at the Downtown Racine Corporation office, located at 425 Main Street, or online at Downtown Racine Corporation.
During the June 5 First Friday unveiling, many participating artists will be stationed near their postcard installations throughout downtown, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about their inspiration and creative process.
This year’s artists include:
Connie Meredith, “Summer Breeze”
Red Apple School, TBD
Prairie Upper School, “Home is Where the Harbor Is”
Prairie First Grade, “Welcome, Birdies, to Ray-Scene”
Delise Evans, “Rooftop Vibes at Eave”
Jil Radtke, “Feels Like Home”
Kelly Witte, “Down by the River!”
Lindsay Beyer, “A New Day Rises”
Matt & Leah Maletis, “Greetings from Racine”
Nancy Barthuly, “Racine’s Jewel: Where the Sails meet the Sunrise”
Nicole Zimmer, “Things I Love About Racine”
Paul Muckler, “Greetings from Racine Quilted Barn – Mariner’s Compass”
Peg Ducommun, “Preservation”
Rachael Kerr, “To Thine Own Self Be True”
Samantha McDonald, “Wind Point Lighthouse”
Timothy Carls, “Cycling Racine”
Wadewitz Elementary School, “Greetings from Racine, WI Kids”
Celia Amartea Schulz, “Meet Me in Racine”
Jose Palomo, “Racine Forever”
Mira Harrington, “Meet You There”
Steve Mohr, “Welcome to Racine on the 3rd Coast”
Kadie Kohls, “Lox & Leisure”
Racine Art Museum Community Art Projects
For more information, a map of postcard locations, and to download the scavenger hunt form, visit racinedowntown.com.
DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION: Downtown Racine Corporation, a non-profit whose mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists.