Local sign painters and artists David and Susie Butler, of Butler Signs, will travel to Pontiac, Ill., to participate in one of the largest mural painting projects ever held in the Midwest.
The Butlers are two of more than 160 artists who gather each year to paint wall-size, outdoor murals in a selected community.
The group, who call themselves the "Walldogs," have chosen the city of Pontiac this year and will gather there June 25-28 to paint 17 murals in the downtown area. The murals will depict the cultural, commercial and political history of the city.
The Butlers were honored this year by being selected as mural designers and mural site project leaders.
The term "Walldog" was traditionally used to denote a sign painter who painted large advertisements on the sides of buildings. The current group of Walldogs began their summer projects in 1993 when they painted murals in Allerton, Iowa. Since then, they have visited Minneapolis, Algoma, Wis., Chippewa Fall, Wis., and Jacksonville, Ill., among other places.
This year's meet is hosted by Jane, Bill, Ben and Joe Diaz, sign artists in Pontiac. According to the Diazs, this is one of the largest group of Walldogs ever to gather for a single event.The Walldogs' visit to Pontiac will be part of a huge four-day, four-event celebration which also will include the city's Annual Heritage Days, the Hang Loose Car Show and a Cruise Night on the Square.
For more information on the event, contact Ellie Alexander, director of tourism, Pontiac, Ill., at 815-844-5847 or e-mail tourism@pontiac.org
