Museum's Alley Project aims to add splash of color in Appleton

APPLETON – The alley near the History Museum at the Castle could gain a lot of life and color with a new mural.

Organizers started a Kickstarter fundraiser for The Alley Project, a campaign to raise $4,000 by July 21 to paint a mural on the side of the museum, creating a new space for Mile of Music and other events with public art, food trucks and, of course, live music.

Currently, the campaign has 12 days to go and has raised $2,175.

Nick Hoffman, chief curator for the museum, is heading the project and said the mural will feature aspects of the outdoors and bicycle riding because of Wisconsin's love for the two-wheeler. He said the theme ties into a bicycle exhibit coming to the museum this fall.

"It's just a fun, whimsical way to have fun and support the expanding art scene," Hoffman said.

Hoffman needs a city permit to paint the mural, and once the money is raised, he will apply to begin the project.

"You never know if people will be drawn to it," Hoffman said of the campaign. "The only loss would be an opportunity for public art for Appleton."

A website helping creatives raise money for projects, Kickstarter is an easy way to get the word out about the project, Hoffman said. On the website, a date is set, and if money is not raised by that date, the fundraiser fails and no one backing the project has to pay. If the project meets the goal by the set date, each person who has pledged to donate pays.

Hoffman said the space will bring a new art venue to the area and be a place to gather during various events.

"We were looking to have a really fun way to participate in Mile of Music," Hoffman said. "We want to take it to the next level."

Appleton resident Chad Brady will paint the mural if funded and said he is happy to create art that is part of a larger concept.

"This one is art for art's sake. It's a mural to be a mural," Brady said. "I think it'll help pull it all together for Mile of Music."

Brady, along with other residents, have been working to create more murals throughout the city and make Appleton a scene for public art. He said this mural, if funded, will take about a week to finish and could start a trend for similar projects.

"I'm excited that it'll get the public out there," Brady said. "Hopefully this will be the first of many murals."

If the campaign does not meet the fund-raising goal, Hoffman said the events during Mile of Music will still occur. Project partners include Pulse Young Professionals Network, Wriston Art Center Galleries, Mile of Music and Young Space.

Campaign information can be found on The Alley Project's Kickstarter page.

— Grace Ebert; 920-993-1000, ext. 252, or gebert@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @_glouise_