Art Infusion

press release: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) is pleased to announce that they are seeking sidewalk chalk competitors for Art Infusion held September 5 & 6, 2020 at various locations in downtown Janesville.

The JACVB is inviting competitors to pre-register for a limited number of spots in the competition. Available competitor slots will be limited to 12 this year. Of the 12 artist slots, 4 will be reserved for artists ages 17 and under. The remaining 8 will be for those ages 18 and older. Spots will be reserved on a first come, first served basis with a waiting list in case of cancellations. Artists will be spread out to various locations including Traxler Park, Rotary Botanical Gardens, Cobblestone Hotel and the Rock County Historical Society.

We encourage children, families and adults to draw for fun at home and post their creations to the Art Infusion Facebook page as there will not be a draw for fun component this year.

Artists are welcome to draw once they have registered. Registration begins at 8 AM. Drawing time is Saturday, September 5, 8 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, September 6, 8 at 4 PM.

Competition pre-registration is required. Registration fee is $1o per person. Registration fee includes a box of chalk pastels, sponge and gloves. Additional chalk can be purchased for $10 per box. A swap box will be located at the registration table. Registration must be paid prior to chalking (cash or checks accepted, no credit cards) on either Saturday, September 5, 8 AM to 5 PM or Sunday, September 6, 8 AM to 4 PM at a drive-through chalk pick-up station at the Janesville Performing Arts Center, 408 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545. Chalk kits and competitor location will be assigned at that time.  To pre-register and reserve your spot call (608) 289-6091 during regular business hours (9 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday) or email marketing@janesvillecvb.com. 

Awards: Category 1, ages 18 and older: (1) $200 grand prize, (1) $100 second place, (1) $50 third place; Category 2, ages 17 and under: (1) $200 grand prize, (1) $100 second place, (1) $50 third place. Award announcements will be made via the Art Infusion Facebook page on Wednesday, September 9 at 12 Noon.

Competitors will draw at various locations near or in the downtown Janesville area. Chalk artist squares and drawing areas will be protected by a barrier of 6 feet with orange cones and tape, therefore spectators will not be allowed within 6 feet of the competitor work area. Artists will sign a release waiver. Spectators will be required to wear a mask. Volunteers will be on duty during drawing time to oversee safety. Spectators will be encouraged to view the art following the competition. Chalk artists will be asked to wear masks if there are more than 5 people watching that are not part of their own group/family. 

ALSO: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Art Infusion Mural Committee and Wallpapered City LLC are pleased to announce the artists and locations for the five new exterior wall murals that will be installed as part of Art Infusion 2020.

Artist Jeff Henriquez, who painted the Black Hawk Mural, will return as the featured wall muralist for the event. Following the success of the Black Hawk wall mural created in 2019 by Henriquez and commissioned by Nigella Ryan, a committee was formed to develop a painted wall mural component for the 2020 Art Infusion. It was decided at that time to bring Henriquez back to create another piece of art. The other four wall muralists hail from around the state of Wisconsin including a Janesville resident.

Artists & Buildings with Mural Installations

Featured Artist - Jeff Henriquez. Jeff is a full-time artist from Newark, New Jersey and holds a degree in Painting from Bradford College. He works in a variety of mediums including spray paint and pen and ink.

Wall address: 101 E Milwaukee St

Jessie Willyerd working with Tim Cahill: The members of this artist team are Class of 2003 graduates of Janesville Craig High School, who both pursued fine arts degrees afterwards. Both are members of Janesville Art League. Their collaborative mural is the first they’ve created together since high school.

Wall address: 37 S Main St

Stephanie Krellwitz is a freelance artist and yoga instructor with a background in special education, deaf education and art education. In the studio she specializes in commissioned artworks including portraits and logo design.

Wall address: 60 S Main St

 Jaime Brown working with Karim Jabbari:

This collaborative team had starkly different beginnings; Brown was born and raised in Wisconsin and Jabbari in Tunisia, North Africa. This combination creates a perfect contrasting core, blending their fusion of art styles.

Wall address: 21 S Jackson StBio:

David Mark Zimmerman (aka Bigshot Robot): Bigshot Robot is a Milwaukee-based designer with creations that explore curiosity, vibrancy, humor and movement. In his installations there is always a sense of imagination at play with colorful palettes full of energetic patterns.

Wall address: 215 W Milwaukee St (back of the building)

Art proposals for painted wall murals were limited to Wisconsin artists only. A total of forty-two creative proposals were submitted with three submitted from Janesville artists. Finalists were selected via a juried process led by Wallpape­­­re­­­d City, LLC. Wisconsin of Milwaukee. The wall mural committee is working with them to develop and manage the mural portion of the event.

Final artwork will remain a mystery to all until the paintings are completed and the art is revealed. Artists will be painting walls August 30 – September 6, 2020 (weather dependent).

About the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Our expert staff is here to help you plan your next visit, group tour, meeting or conference event in Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside. The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private non-profit Destination Marketing Organization, whose mission is to lead, support and promote tourism in the area by promoting Janesville as a prime destination for meetings and conventions, motorcoach, sports events and leisure travelers, thereby creating a positive economic impact on the community and enhancing the quality of life. The JACVB is funded by local hotel room tax and receives 60% of the room tax collected by the City of Janesville with the remainder going into the city’s general fund. To learn more visit janesvillecvb.com.