Design

Walldogs Pop the Top in Arcola with Breathtaking Murals

Scores of signmakers and muralists converge to embellish small Illinois town.

Published

12 years ago

June 25, 2012

Steve Aust Signs of the Times June 2012 Issue

From June 20-24, more than 100 muralists converged on Arcola, IL, for Pop the Top, a "Walldog" (walldog is a longstanding term used as a badge of honor wall-mural painters) meet for which the group painted 15 murals that now adorn the town of approximately 3,000. The experience of being in the company of such talented and genuinely kind-hearted is something I will never forget. They even humored me and allowed me to paint two of the murals (thanks to Dave Petri, Adam May and Mike Meyer) for humoring me and tolerating my artistic shortcoming. Thanks also to the Scott Lindely, Pop the Top’s primary organizers, the project leaders, and the residents who treated we visitors like family.

Our September issue will feature a more complete article and gallery, but I couldn’t wait to share a sampling of photos.

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