Public Art Comes to Life During Alternating Currents

Brian Wentworth

Brian Wentworth — My Crystal Portal, 1737 Grant St., Bettendorf

​This week, walls across the Quad Cities are becoming canvases as Mural Fest returns as part of Alternating Currents, the annual downtown arts festival bringing music, film, comedy, visual art, and live performances to communities throughout the region.

Quad City Arts is proud to partner with Alternating Currents to bring Mural Fest to life, giving festivalgoers the opportunity to watch professional artists create large-scale murals in real time. Instead of only seeing the finished piece, visitors can stop by throughout the week and watch each mural evolve from a blank wall into a lasting work of public art.

Mural Fest is a collaborative effort that brings together the strengths of Downtown Davenport Partnership and Quad City Arts.

Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Rock Island Association, and the Downtown Bettendorf Organization help to activate downtown spaces, connect businesses, and build the larger festival experience. Quad City Arts leads the artist engagement and public art side of the project—from recruiting muralists and coordinating artist logistics to helping artists navigate the process of creating large-scale work in public spaces.

It's work that builds on decades of Quad City Arts' experience commissioning and managing public art projects throughout the region.

This year's Mural Fest features four artists creating new works throughout the Quad Cities:

• Brando Punk — Bent River Brewing, 512 24th St., Rock Island
• Atlanta Dawn — Klemme's Motorsports, 301 E. 3rd St., Davenport
• Andray Kravtsov — Trash Can Annie / Ragged Records, 311 E. 2nd St., Davenport
• Brian Wentworth — My Crystal Portal, 1737 Grant St., Bettendorf

The mix of local and visiting artists is an important part of Mural Fest. It gives artists opportunities to meet one another, exchange ideas and techniques, build relationships, and learn what's happening in the broader public art community. At the same time, visiting artists bring new styles and perspectives to the Quad Cities and help showcase our region as a place that values creativity and invests in its public spaces.

One of the things we love most about public art is its accessibility. You don't need a ticket, an invitation, or even plans to see it. Public art meets people where they already are.

Brando Punk

Brando Punk — Bent River Brewing, 512 24th St., Rock Island

​Murals can turn an overlooked wall into a landmark, give a neighborhood a stronger sense of identity, and encourage people to explore parts of their community they may not otherwise visit. They become places people photograph, share, talk about, and remember.

That impact extends beyond the artwork itself. Public art can bring people into our downtowns, encourage visitors to spend time at nearby shops and restaurants, and contribute to places that feel vibrant, welcoming, and distinctive.

And that's what makes Mural Fest such a great fit for Alternating Currents: the creative process becomes part of the festival experience.

We encourage you to stop by the mural locations throughout the week, meet the artists, watch their work take shape, and then come back to see the finished pieces. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply curious about how a mural gets made, Mural Fest offers a front-row seat to creativity happening right here in the Quad Cities.
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And when the festival is over, the murals stay—adding another chapter to the growing collection of public art that helps tell the story of our region.

Atlanta Dawn

Atlanta Dawn — Klemme's Motorsports, 301 E. 3rd St., Davenport

We encourage you to stop by the mural locations throughout the week, meet the artists, and watch their work take shape. Come back more than once—you'll get to see blank walls transform into works of art that will remain part of our communities long after the festival ends. Mural Fest gives you a front-row seat to the creative process and a chance to experience public art as it's being made.

And while you're out, keep exploring everything Alternating Currents has to offer. Get out, wander a little, and let the art guide you. There's something new around every corner.

Aside from Mural Fest, don't forget to attend our gallery opening and Block Party kicking off the festivities on Thursday, August 13! And THREE SILENT DISCOS! Check out our events page: 

Find out more about Alternating Currents and download the app for the full schedule! www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com
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Andray Kravtsov

Andray Kravtsov — Trash Can Annie / Ragged Records, 311 E. 2nd St., Davenport

​Photography courtesy of AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer - Antonio Varela
www.ajvoriginal.com