Water Street Studios To Unveil 'City Of Good Energy' Mural

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia's collection of public art is expanding.

Featuring slices of daily Batavia life, the "City of Good Energy" mural was painted by more than 70 volunteers on the south wall of The Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., in September.

Water Street Studio's Batavia Public Art Initiative will unveil the mural from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 with a celebration featuring complimentary drinks and snacks, music and a drop-in art craft.

"With vivid scenes of riverfront life, family and nature, the mural will serve as a colorful gateway to downtown Batavia and a tribute to the city’s creative spirit," reads a news release from Water Street Studios.

Designed by muralist and art educator Amy Decker, the 24-by-20-foot mural was selected from more than 30 submissions. Volunteers helped paint the mural in a paint-by-numbers format supervised by project manager Josh Schultz and color specialist Rebekah Axtel.

"What used to be a drab wall is now a vibrant work of art that reminds every onlooker of all the good we have here, from our beautiful setting to the positive nature of the individuals who call Batavia home," Batavia Public Art Initiative committee member Bonnie Baumgartner said in a statement.

Baumgartner, who sits on Water Street Studio's board of directors, worked on a fundraising campaign for the mural, with donations boosted by the Marconi family, Byus Steel, Inc., Sturdy Shelter Brewing, and the City of Batavia.

A meet and greet with artists, as well as an art sale, will also be part of the event.