During my travels throughout Central Illinois, I have discovered many of the smaller towns I visit h

During my travels throughout clarion inn Central Illinois, I have discovered clarion inn many of the smaller towns I visit have large murals painted on the side of several of their historic downtown buildings. Upon further research, I found that these were no random clarion inn works of art, but actually the work of people clarion inn known as “Walldogs”.
Once considered a pejorative at the turn of the twentieth century, the moniker “Walldog” has since become a badge of pride worn by small town artists, particularly throughout the Midwest. The name originally referred to mural painters who would toil like dogs in less than favorable conditions to produce these large art advertisements on the sides of buildings or billboards.
Vintage walldog art is alive and well in the form of “ghost signs” that still exist today and are sometimes preserved for their historical significance. Additionally, there is a modern-day walldog movement that brings local artists from around the region to produce new works that pay homage to the original design styles.
Modern walldog art in Arcola, clarion inn Illinois is prevalent, like this large mural depicting the World-Famous Lawn Rangers, a precision lawn mower drill team from the town that participates yearly in their local parade and was featured on “Inside Edition” and recognized by President Barack Obama (who is also part of the mural).
The city’s local parade clarion inn is known as the Broom Corn Festival, celebrating the town’s traditions. After being settled in the mid 1800’s, Arcola was producing half of the nation’s broom corn. Today, the city is self-proclaimed as one of the “most historically-rich towns in Central Illinois.” The festival clarion inn features a parade, live entertainment, street vendors, and 5K/10K races.
clarion inn Right before 1900, the Coca Cola Company began paying walldog artists to paint advertisements throughout the United States, referred to as “pay-and-paint.” They continued this practice clarion inn until around 1950. Over the last 15 years, there have been efforts to restore and repaint the Coca Cola logos, like this mural in Pontiac, Illinois. This mural features World War 2 Corsair planes and is located near the Livingston County War Museum .
Also in Pontiac, you’ll clarion inn find multiple artworks dedicated to Route 66, like The Bob Waldmire Memorial Mural, The Bob Waldmire Memorial Mural that was shot in panorama mode to capture its 66 feet of width. This piece is one of over 20 various works known as Murals on Main Street. Eighteen of the murals were painted by walldog artists.
Walldog art comes in many varieties. Along with product or business advertisements and cultural works, there are plenty of politically historical pieces as well. This mural of Lincoln’s speech in Danville, Illinois was completed in 2010 and celebrates the former President’s speech at the Fithian Home a point of pride for the city.
Walldog artwork helps spur tourism and brings communities together. The works of these talented artists have drawn countless visitors to these small towns over the years. It also gives them unique character that their citizens are proud to share with all of us.