Since its inception in 2011, Art Infusion has continued to evolve and bring positive attention to the community, its attractions and especially the downtown area. In addition to the competition, there are opportunities for attendees to draw for fun and free sidewalk chalk art instruction is held for Janesville students. In 2020, a painted wall mural component was added and continues to be a highlight of the event.
Art Infusion Mural Week is September 4 - 12, and the Art Infusion Chalk Art Competition will take place September 10 - 12.
The sidewalk chalk competition, draw for fun, and featured chalk artists will be working between Friday, September 10 and Sunday, September 12 at Firehouse Park and BMO Harris Bank (across the street). The theme for the competition is "Life is sweet because..." The competition ends at 2 PM on Sunday with awards at 3:30 PM. Cash prizes will be awarded in two categories. Register for the chalk art competition at the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Olde Towne Mall, 20 S Main St Ste 11) in advance or during the event. Registered participants will receive a box of chalk, sponge and gloves, and will be assigned a location. Click here to download a complete list of rules, plus a registration form and waiver. Click here to pay for your registration online. (You will still need to check in at the office when you arrive at the event.) If you're interested in volunteering, sign up for a volunteer shift here.
Previous Art Infusion competitors, please note that registration is at the Janesville Area CVB office on the day of the event, not at Firehouse Park.
Schedule of Events
A printable PDF of the Art Infusion brochure, including the schedule of events, can be downloaded here. This web page will always have the most current information, as we are continuing to update the event.
*In the event of inclement weather, artist meet & greets and live music events will move indoors to the Janesville Performing Arts Center, 408 S Main St.
Community Art Project, August 16 - 30; on display through December 31
Be a part of the Art Infusion community art project! Beginning August 16, you can check out a 12-inch cardstock puzzle piece from the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau offices at 20 S Main St, Ste 11. Return your personally decorated (and signed) piece by August 30. Completed puzzle pieces will be assembled into one piece of art and displayed alongside Art Infusion mural artists and local celebrity designs at Uptown Janesville beginning Friday, September 3 through December 31. Free to participate.
My Pet Park, September 4 - October 31
My Pet Park, 14 S River St
My Pet Park is a fun temporary pet themed art installation for families to enjoy. Created by artist Emily Balsley of Madison, families can explore several fun mural panels that feature bright and colorful images of everyone's favorite pets and animals. Coloring sheets will be available on site, or click here to download a coloring page. Pet friendly event. Free.
Lincoln-Tallman House Tours, Ongoing
Rock County Historical Society, 426 N Jackson St, 11 AM - 3 PM Wednesdays through Sundays or by appointment
Tour the Lincoln-Tallman House, an Italianate-style mansion constructed in 1857. $10 adults, $9 seniors & college students, $6 children 6-17, free for children 5 & under, RCHS Members & military veterans
Garden Art Exhibit - Curious Caterpillars, through September 26
Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr, Daily 9 AM to 8 PM
This art exhibit features handcrafted wooden caterpillars built by RBG volunteers then painted and embellished by local artists. They will be auctioned off September 30. Included in Rotary Botanical Gardens admission: $9 adults 16+, $7 seniors 65+, $5 ages 6-15 or $6 with military ID.
| Saturday, September 4 | |
| 10 AM - 12 Noon | Emily's Animals & Plants in Stories & Poems
My Pet Park, 14 S River St
Meet Emily Balsley, the installation artist that created the art for My Pet Park. The installation features paintings of animals and plants that share the world with us. Join Edie Baran, local storyteller, in interactive stories that are appropriate for all ages, watch Spuds the Juggler and join Cherie Norquay for a fun sing-a-long! Free admission. Coloring sheets will be available on site, or click here to download a coloring page. |
| 10 - 11 AM | Artful Guided Walking Tour with Roaming Rich - A Women's History of Janesville
Marvin W. Roth Pavilion, Courthouse Park, 51 S Main St
Join Roaming Rich for a walking tour of Downtown Janesville that celebrates the lives and contributions of women to the local community. $10. Register at roamaroundtours.com
|
| Tuesday, September 7 | |
| 5 - 7 PM | New Art: Jeff Henriquez
Sandwich Bar, 54 S Main St
Get a sneak peek of this new restaurant and its mural featuring Anthony Bourdain and Julia Child, painted by Jeff Henriquez, the artist who created the Black Hawk Mural and the Diversity and Women's History Mural. Free.
|
| 5 - 7 PM | Janesville Art League Art Show & Reception
Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S Main St
The Janesville Art League's exhibit in the JPAC Gallery is open to the public. Free admission. |
| 6 - 8:30 PM | Music in the Park: Frank Martin Busch and the Names
Marvin W. Roth Pavilion, Courthouse Park, 51 S Main St
Enjoy this free concert by Frank Martin Busch & the Names presented by EXIT Realty HGM, Downtown Janesville, Inc and the Janesville Performing Arts Center. Their musical style is Americana - solid rhythms, guitar, honky tonk piano, harmonica and steel guitar.
|
| Wednesday, September 8 | |
| 10 - 11 AM | CoffeeKlatch with Bigshot Robot
Presented by Downtown Janesville BID
Ace Hardware, 200 S River St
Enjoy coffee and live music by Dan Fredericks & Joan Neeno as you view The Adventurer being created by David Zimmerman aka Bigshot Robot. |
| 11 AM - 1 PM | Brats with the Adventurer
Presented by Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware, 200 S River St
Enjoy a brat, live music, and a chat with mural artist David Zimmerman as he works on The Adventurer. Brat sales support Art Infusion.
|
| 4 - 7 PM | Art Infusion Celebration: Artrageous Wednesdays
Rock County Historical Society, 450 N Jackson St
Join us to officially kick off Art Infusion 2021! Meet mural artists, enjoy art from local artists and live music from the Rockford Wind Ensemble. Food trucks and a cash bar. Artrageous Wednesdays are held weekly through September 29. Free admission. |
| Thursday, September 9 | |
11 AM - 12 Noon
| Words on the River: Meet Mural Artist Ivan Roque
Rock River Charter School, 31 W Milwaukee St
Meet mural artist Ivan Roque and listen to Jeremy Duncan's poem, The Door, and other poetry inspired by the themes in Mr. Roque's mural: wisdom, knowledge, transformation, creativity, curiosity, and playfulness. Free admission. |
| 5 - 7 PM | After Business Meet & Greet with Mural Artist Nathan Brown: A Kaleidoscope of Forms & Shapes
Janesville Woman's Club, 108 S Jackson St
Meet the artist and view the Janesville Art League Gallery then walk to the mural site at 14 S. Jackson. Live music by Heavenly Harps and Hammers. Free admission. |
| 6 - 7:30 PM | Artful Janesville Twilight Tour with Roaming Rich
Town Square, Blain Gilbertson Family Heritage Bridge, 65 S River St
Join Roaming Rich for a walking tour of Downtown Janesville's public art, including many murals, with a stop along the way for refreshments. $25 includes refreshments. Register at roamaroundtours.com |
| Friday, September 10 | |
| 8 AM | Chalk Art Competition Artists Working
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
BMO Harris Bank, 100 N Main St
and the Riverwalk
Chalk art competitors can work on their drawings from Friday, September 10 at 8 AM until Sunday, September 12 at 2 PM. Competing artists must first register at the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Olde Towne Mall, 20 S Main St Ste 11) before beginning. Registration is $10 and includes a box of chalk, sponge and gloves. Spectators welcome. |
| 12 Noon - 1 PM | Meet & Eat with CJ
Janesville Town Square - east side, 65 S Water St
Meet mural artist CJ Hungerman. Bring your lunch-to-go to the Cope Ryan Pavilion on the east side of the Town Square. Music by Tess Nguyen and Dave Bitter. Free admission. |
| 5:30 - 8 PM | Party at Festival Street
Janesville Town Square - west side, 65 S River St
Join us for family-friendly fun. Listen to local musicians John Nelson & the Magnetic YaYas, create art with your children, play lawn games, eat from food trucks including Route 26 Hamburger Stand, Pancho Mejia and Gray's Soda. Free admission. |
| 6:30PM | Invisible Art Reveal
Janesville Town Square - west side, 65 S River St
Join us for a fun unveiling of an invisible art exhibit for families! Artist Stacey Williams-Ng will have painted hidden pictures of fish and other sea creatures all around The Bubbler at Janesville Town Square, but until they get wet... they will be invisible! The images will magically appear only when wet, so this fun family activity will allow kids to 'seek and find' the fish by splashing water. This activity will be activated during Party at Festival Street. Kids may help themselves to toy buckets, and they will be invited to 'go fish' by sloshing the sidewalk with water from the fountain. |
| Saturday, September 11 | |
| All Day | Chalk Art Competition Artists Working
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
BMO Harris Bank, 100 N Main St
and the Riverwalk
Chalk art competitors can work on their drawings from Friday, September 10 at 8 AM until Sunday, September 12 at 2 PM. Competing artists must first register at the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Olde Towne Mall, 20 S Main St Ste 11) before beginning. Registration is $10 and includes a box of chalk, sponge and gloves. Spectators welcome. |
| 8 AM - 1 PM | Janesville Farmers Market
Town Square, 21 Dodge St
Vendors offer a wide variety of local goods including fresh produce, live music and children's activities. Free admission. |
| 11 AM - 1 PM | Janesville Art League Exhibit at JPAC
Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S Main St
The Janesville Art League's exhibit in the JPAC Gallery is open to the public. Free admission. |
| 1 - 2:30 PM | Picnic at the PAC with Artist Ruben Aguirre
Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S Main St
Bring your lunch and a blanket or chairs. Meet the mural artist Ruben Aguirre and enjoy performances from various community theatre companies. Free admission. |
| 2 - 3 PM | Artful Janesville Tour with Roaming Rich
Town Square, Blain Gilbertson Family Heritage Bridge, 17 S River St
Join Roaming Rich for a walking tour of Downtown Janesville's public art, including many murals as well as sculptures and building details. $10. Register at roamaroundtours.com |
| Sunday, September 12 | |
| Through 2 PM | Chalk Art Competition Artists Working
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
BMO Harris Bank, 100 N Main St
and the Riverwalk
Chalk art competitors can work on their drawings from Friday, September 10 at 8 AM until Sunday, September 12 at 2 PM. Competing artists must register at the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Olde Towne Mall, 20 S Main St Ste 11) before beginning. Registration is $10 and includes a box of chalk, sponge and gloves. Spectators welcome.
|
| 9 AM - 1 PM | Life is Sweet Because... Meet Chalk Artists Leigh Alfredson & Stacey Williams-Ng
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
BMO Harris Bank, 100 N Main St
Visit with chalk artists Leigh Alfredson & Stacey Williams-Ng as they transform the sidewalks into amazing temporary art using chalk. Free admission. |
| 11 AM - 1 PM | Live Music by Swing Fish
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
Enjoy live music by local swing band, Swing Fish, while viewing the sidewalk chalk art.
|
| 3:30 PM | Chalk Art Competition Winners Announced
Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St
Cash prizes awarded in two categories: Ages 18 & Over and Ages 17 & Under. Each category will have a $200 grand prize, $100 second place and $50 third place. |
2021 Mural Artists
David Mark Zimmerman (aka Bigshot Robot) of Milwaukee
Wall mural address: Ace Hardware, 200 S River St | Featured Chalk Artist: Leigh Alfredson, Orlando, FL
Sidewalk chalk address: Firehouse Park, 113 N Main St |
Ivan Roque of Miami, Florida
Wall mural address: Rock River Charter School, 31 W Milwaukee St | Featured Chalk Artist: Stacey Williams-Ng, Memphis, TN
Sidewalk chalk address: BMO Harris Bank, 100 N Main St
|
Nathan Brown, Chattanooga, TN
Wall mural address: Forward Foundation Building, 14 S Jackson St | |
Ruben Aguirre, Chicago, IL
Wall mural address: Janesville Performing Arts Center, 408 S Main St | |
CJ Hungerman, Chicago, IL
Wall mural address: Olde Towne Mall (back side), 37 S Water Street
| Special Art Installation: My Pet Park - Emily Balsley, Madison, WI
Art installation address: My Pet Park, 14 S River St |
Full artist bios can be found here.
| |
Sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
- Things for Kids
- Things for Teens
- Downtown
Address: Ste 11 - 20 S Main St - Janesville - WI, 5345
Phone: (608) 757-3171
