Downtown Kenosha is being adorned with cars, fish, and the North Pier Lighthouse, along with other iconic images, as part of the Kenosha Murals Project.
Giant pike are swimming along the east side of the former Kenosha National Bank building at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, celebrating Kenosha’s history as Place of the Pike.
Across the parking lot, on the back of the Modern Apothecary building, 5700 Sixth Ave., a colossal Kraken is coming to life and holding some well-known Kenosha images.
“This Kenosha Kraken mural celebrates Kenosha’s spirit and charm—playful, quirky, artistic, and resilient. It’s meant to spark curiosity, laughter, and pride in both locals and visitors. I’m honored to have created the Kenosha Kraken with support from the Kenosha Public Murals Project. Their work doesn’t just beautify our city—it strengthens culture, community, and connection,” said Kenosha Artist Leeanna Chipana.
Several American Motors cars are permanently settling in the paint at the historic Kenosha Theatre, 5919 Sixth Ave.
Six more murals, all with Kenosha themes, are also planned.
“It’s an ambitious schedule, but we do hope to raise enough money to complete all nine murals in the coming weeks,” said Francisco Loyola, executive director of Kenosha Creative Space, who, along with various partners, is leading the Kenosha Mural Project. Also joining the project is the City of Kenosha, Visit Kenosha and the Kenosha Community Foundation, which serves as the project’s fiscal sponsor.
Adding additional corporate sponsorships and individual contributions in the near future will allow for the project to be completed this year, Loyola said.
Sponsors are encouraged to visit www.kenoshamurals.org, or call (262) 945-9411 , to learn more about donating to the project. The funds for this project are managed by the Kenosha Community Foundation, Contributions are tax-deductible.
A Call for Art resulted in the submission of 32 murals for the project. A local committee selected the nine finalists, which include four local artists and one mural that will involve the participation of local artists to create a mural.
The Mural Painting Workshop: from Concept to Creation, will be held starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15 at the Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. The workshop will be led by seasoned mural artists from Yonder, an art space in Algoma, Wis. The hands-on workshop is open to artists of all experience levels. Together, the group will create a community-relevant mural as part of the Kenosha Mural Project. The Kenosha Community Foundation is offering 10 scholarships (valued at $500) to local participants. People can register here: https://shorturl.at/2kfsY
“The workshop is an opportunity to involve even more Kenosha artists in learning about and participating in mural creation,” said Jennie Tunkieicz, who is part of the Kenosha Murals Project team. “The exciting part is that they will work together to create a mural for all of the community to enjoy.”
The nine planned murals are:
• The Place of the Pike, completed, by artist Julio Loyola, of Mexico City, Mexico
• The Kenosha Kraken, in progress, by artist Leeanna Chipana, Kenosha
• Proudly Made in Kenosha, in progress, by artist Dean Tawwater, Kenosha
• PENDING: K-Town, by artist Kelly Witte, Kenosha
• SCHEDULED: Community Mural Painting Workshop, led by artists Don Krumpos and Erin LaBonte of Yonder, an art space, Algoma, Wis.
• SCHEDULED: Frida y Diego en Kenosha: Un Beso para el Futuro, by artist Mauricio Ramerez, Milwaukee
• PENDING: The River Remembers, by artist Sylvia Hect, Osceola, Wis.
• PENDING: The Wooly Mammoth, by artist Drew Etienne, Indianapolis, Ind.
• PENDING: Work to be designed in cooperation with the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism and community members, by artist Tia Richardson, Milwaukee.
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For more information about the project, and to sponsor, contact info@kenoshamurals.org.
A collaboration of the City of Kenosha, the Kenosha Community Foundation and the Kenosha Creative Space. The Kenosha Murals Project aims to enhance the beauty of the area through public art, fostering community pride, boosting tourism, and supporting mural artists. By strategically placing murals on prominent buildings, the project will transform underutilized spaces into vibrant landmarks, creating an inviting and culturally rich environment.