A prime field of blank brick in Downtown Appleton will offer a thoughtful image and crucial message before the weekend is through.
Prep work began on Wednesday on a new Downtown Appleton mural. Artist Irineo Medina will begin work in earnest on Thursday and the community is invited to drop by and watch the work unfold. The new piece will depict a message of unity within the downtown district.
“This is for us,” he said. “For BIPOC. We need support. We need love. We need each other. We need our community. Appleton is such a beautiful place and I am proud to be a part of a community that is behind me in this message.”
The mural will go up across Appleton Street from Houdini Plaza on the side of Crazy Sweet. It’s expected to be complete by the end of the weekend.
The project is part of “Downtown Creates,” a new, three-part summer series presented by Appleton Downtown Inc. It’ll take place on the third weekend of the month through August and feature experiences with downtown businesses, artists, restaurants and more.
The festivities will give kids the opportunity to explore their creative sides.
Creative Kids, a partnership between Appleton Downtown Inc. and the Building for Kids, typically takes place in Houdini Plaza with free hands-on art creation activities. This year, Creative Kids To-Go! will take its place in the interest of precaution. Families are invited to pick up free art kits and create in their own homes with 4 to 5 different crafts. Contactless pick-up of the kits will be outside the Appleton Downtown Inc. office from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Those who aren’t yet comfortable with heading out to College Avenue can have a night downtown from their living rooms.
ADI’s 3rd Virtual Shop Hop event will take place on Facebook on Thursday from 6-8pm. This event will feature 13 different downtown retail establishments in a fun, one-night only online shopping event featuring special offers, discounts and fun new products.
July’s Downtown Creates program will feature the annual chalk walk competition.
