PLYMOUTH (NBC 26) — The Plymouth Advancement Association, Inc., is presenting the "Return of the Walldogs" mural festival August 25 through 29 in downtown Plymouth.
The Walldogs are a group of sign painters and mural artists from around the world. Each year a few communities are chosen for mural festivals.
"These murals are historical murals, and so they are all about Plymouth, Wisconsin," said Nancy Bennett, artist and Walldog coordinator. "The town of Plymouth furnishes reference materials, and we help tell their stories. We tell their stories and interpret them through colorful art and bring their stories to life."
Seven new murals will be painted during the festival with six painted by Walldogs' artists from around the country. The public is invited to observe artists at work and participate in other activities and entertainment taking place at the Plymouth Library and Plymouth Arts Center.
Plymouth previously hosted the Walldogs in 2011 when 21 murals were created depicting places, people and products historically tied to the community.
"Plymouth is an unusual community because they have not only wanted to keep their murals up, but they want to add new ones, and that shows that they are a special town, and they are really interested in their community and are still interested in moving forward," Bennett said.
Festival activities kicked off Wednesday with artists using projectors to sketch mural outlines. Thursday highlights include a street art workshop at 10 a.m. with artist Anat Ronen and a kids' mural with artist Kris Morse. The Plymouth Library will be the center of activities hosting Zoey the K-9 dog and an outdoor movie on Friday night. On Saturday, a dog parade will start at 10 a.m. at Stayer park and a portion of Division Street will be closed for entertainment and activities including a children's mural, face painting and carnival games. The Plymouth Downtown Arts and Merchants will host a brat fry along with a variety of food options.
