Feature image: mural by Emily Balsey.
Frank Juárez
I have observed an increase in mural festivals and have become popular throughout Wisconsin. The process is never easy, but when a community comes together to organize such event, there is a sense of pride that showcases diversity and connection, bringing people from all walks of life to experience and watch a city transform into a colorful palette of creativity.
When I hear community and murals, my ears perk up. This happened last year during Dane Arts’ Business of Art Conference IV in Madison, Wisconsin. I remember sitting on the rooftop of the StartingBlock Madison eating lunch and networking with local artists. As the conversations continued, one of the artists talked about an inaugural mural project in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. However, through social media I saw the 2025 murals.
This year, the Sun Prairie Mural Fest entered its second iteration of the mural event. Once again, I was not able to attend. Good thing for social media, I viewed this year’s mural. The murals are getting bigger and spread throughout Sun Prairie. In the meantime, here is a Q & A with Tiffany Bernhardt Schultz, Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce tourism director; Lena Ugren, founder of Urban Art Bloom, Inc, and muralists Hannah Webb and Emily Balsey.
Note to self: add this event to my calendar for 2027.
Artdose Magazine: What’s the backstory of Sun Prairie Mural Fest? How did the idea originate?
Tiffany Bernhardt Schultz: Sun Prairie Mural Fest was born from a passion for art, community, and bringing artists together. The idea originated with Lena Ugren, founder of Urban Art Bloom, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting public art. Lena is also a muralist herself and has participated in mural festivals across the country as both an artist and spectator.
Through those experiences, Lena saw the unique energy mural festivals create. While many artists spend much of their time working independently, mural festivals provide an opportunity for artists to connect with their peers, collaborate, share ideas, and inspire one another while creating something meaningful for the community.
As Lena drove through Sun Prairie, she often looked at the exterior wall of the Washington Mills building and envisioned it transformed into a large-scale public art destination. She approached the plant manager, worked with the team to secure the space, and developed a vision for bringing 9 professional murals to the wall.
That vision became Sun Prairie Mural Fest. The inaugural event took place in June 2025, bringing artists and the community together to celebrate creativity and transform a familiar space into a vibrant piece of Sun Prairie’s landscape.
AM: Were there mural events that inspired or used as a model to organize this event? If so, which ones?
TBS: Yes. Lena has been inspired by many mural festivals across the country and regularly follows other events to see how they bring artists and communities together. While there wasn’t one specific festival used as a direct model, she draws inspiration from the many successful mural events she has experienced as an artist and attendee.
Each festival offers unique ideas and approaches, from artist engagement to community involvement and event experiences. Lena takes what works from those events and adapts those ideas to create an experience that feels authentic to Sun Prairie.
AM: Why is this event in Sun Prairie?
TBS: Sun Prairie Mural Fest was created because Lena saw an opportunity to bring more visual art and creative expression to the community she calls home. As a Sun Prairie resident and artist, Lena recognized the potential of the Washington Mills building as a canvas for large-scale public art.
While Sun Prairie already had a music scene, Lena felt there was an opportunity to expand the community’s arts offerings by adding more visual art. The transformation of the Washington Mills wall became the starting point for creating a new art experience that would bring artists, residents, and visitors together while adding beauty and creativity to the community.
AM: How long are the murals on display?
TBS: All of the murals are permanently on display! The goal of Sun Prairie Mural Fest is to create lasting public art that brightens the community for residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come.
AM: In comparison to last year’s series of murals, where are the new murals located?
TBS: Last year’s murals were all located at the Washington Mills building in downtown Sun Prairie, creating the foundation for what has become a growing public art experience.
This year, the murals have expanded to multiple building walls in downtown Sun Prairie. Most are positioned along Main Street The expanded footprint creates a walkable art experience where residents and visitors can explore downtown Sun Prairie while discovering each new mural along the way.
AM: How do you attract muralists? Are they local? Regional? National?
TBS: Muralists are selected through an open call for artists that is shared through organizations and networks that connect with artists locally, regionally, nationally and beyond. This allows artists from a wide range of backgrounds and locations to submit their work for consideration.
AM: Is there an RFQ that is shared?
TBS: Rather than a traditional RFQ process, artists participate through an open call application. Artists submit their information, portfolio, and examples of their work for consideration.
This year, the open call attracted 190 artists from around the world who applied to participate, showcasing the incredible reach and interest in bringing public art to the community.
AM: Anything else you would like to share?
TBS & LU: We invite you to visit Sun Prairie and experience the murals for yourself. Take a stroll through downtown, explore the artwork, and discover the creativity behind each piece. The murals are a lasting addition to Sun Prairie and offer a unique way for residents and visitors to connect with the community through art.
Hannah Webb
Artdose magazine: What inspired you to apply to the Sun Prairie Mural Fest?
Hannah Webb: I love that art takes me all over the world. I had never painted in Wisconsin, so this opportunity seemed like a great way to get to know a new art community and see a new place! There is already some awesome public artwork here from last year, so I felt especially inspired to participate.
AM: What are you hoping to gain from this experience?
HW: One of my favorite things about the art world is that there are little pockets of incredible artists everywhere you go. I want to get to know the regional art scene and pick up some inspiration from the creatives here. I’m excited to leave my mark and experience what Sun Prairie has to offer.
AM: What influenced your design?
HW: My piece is of a snowshoe hare. Most of my work features animals, and I like to highlight either local animals or endangered species. For this piece, I wanted to represent the area by choosing something that has roots in Wisconsin. Plus, I have two pet rabbits of my own — so any chance to paint a bunny is one I’ll take!
AM: What is the backstory to your design? Is there a message? A narrative?
HW: Snowshoe hares change color from winter to summer, from white to brown and back again. My piece is a mostly white hare with some bits of brownish fur, which refers to the transition and change. My piece represents evolution over time, changing with the seasons.
Connect on Instagram at @theobanoth
Emily Balsey
AM: What inspired you to apply to the Sun Prairie Mural Fest?
Emily Balsey: I’m always on the lookout for mural opportunities, and when I saw that the Sun Prairie Mural Fest was happening again in 2026, I knew I had to block off the time in June to hopefully participate. I don’t often apply to festivals, as my schedule doesn’t typically allow, but Sun Prairie is such a vibrant community, and I know Lena (and team) would provide a stellar experience, so I wanted to throw my name in the hat – especially since it is so close to Madison, where I live.
AM: What are you hoping to gain from this experience?
EB: I’d love to meet some other mural artists from around the country as well as connect with Sun Prairie community members through art.
AM: What influenced your design?
EB: I wanted my mural to be a celebration of Sun Prairie! My design is a modern and whimsical take on some Sun Prairie iconography, such as sweet corn, midget cars, Jimmy the Groundhog, the history of band culture, and a nod to Georgia O’Keeffe.
Connect on Instagram at @emilybluestar