Mural Update: Nine New Murals in Dubuque to be produced in 2018

Voices Productions has taken to the streets of Dubuque once again to add color and life to buildings around the city.

Last year, the organization suspended its 11-year tradition of Millwork District gallery shows to embark on a public art project. The result was 18 large scale new murals in Dubuque.  See the 2017 murals here.

The group is setting out to complete nine more in 2018, bringing the total to 27.  So far two are in progress or completed: one on the Steve’s Ace Hardware building at 200 S. Locust St., and one at 1638 Central Ave. Many others are planned for Central Avenue.

“The difference between this year is that property owners are reaching out to us, asking to participate in the mural initiative by requesting a mural on their wall and offering to pay for it,” said Sam Mulgrew, president of Humanities Iowa and one of the five directors of Voices Productions.

The murals are also supported by grants and partners, including Runde Auto Group and Humanities Iowa.

The art is drawing quite a bit of attention — tourists and locals can be seen snapping photos of the giant paintings.

“Public art and murals are important because they take fallow, lifeless public walls and transform them into animated places,” Mulgrew said. “In the process, a zeitgeist is expressed, and diverse audiences are engaged.”

The newest mural on Steve’s Ace Hardware is being painted by Gaia, the same artist who painted the Automate and floral murals on 2nd St.

The mural at 1638 Central Ave. depicts La Pacha Mama, an Incan fertility goddess. It also features the Mississippi River and Julien Dubuque Bridge. It was designed by Miami painter Luis Valle.

When the new murals in Dubuque are complete, a program will be produced so that observers can take a walking tour.

Learn more about Voices Productions here.

Runde Auto Group is very excited about the new murals in Dubuque.  It will be great to see what they look like upon completion.