A work-in-progress of the 'Paint the City' mural going up at Spats Food & Spirits in downtown Appleton, August 6, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The 5th Annual ‘Paint the City’ mural is being worked on in downtown Appleton. Twenty Appleton Area School District students are working on the piece with professional mural artist Neo Medina.
The 3,000 square foot mural will adorn Spats Food & Spirits on College Avenue. It depicts hands layered and clasped on top of each other.
“It’s leaving your mark on a community that you’ve been in,” said Appleton North student Mir’Cale Welch-Brown. “In my case I’ve been in this community for a while now and getting to be able to leave my mark on a building that people will drive past and I’ll drive past in my later years is just very special to me. And having to do it with people that I just get to know and building life-long friendships is the best part of it.”
Work began on the mural Monday. It’s expected to be finished next week Friday. Work will be done Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
The community is invited to help work on the mural alongside students.
“I’m partially new to this community,” said Juju, an Appleton West student. “I’m actually from Chicago, so having this opportunity to meet new people and make friends and be part of something so big like this makes me so happy.”
‘Paint the City’ students receive a stipend for their work and earn one half elective credit.
The final public reveal is scheduled for Friday, August 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Previous murals include a music themed piece at the Fox Commons, a piece celebrating students at the Appleton Boys & Girls Club, and a flower mural reading ‘Always Love’ at Jersey Bagel & Deli.
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