Batavia Public Art Initiative

02/21/2026

Welcome our newest BPAI member, Gary Ricke!

A 19-year Batavia resident, Gary brings 27 years of digital marketing expertise to BPAI as Content Architect. He specializes in short-format storytelling and AI marketing strategies, with a deep commitment to what he calls Human AI Marketing — authenticity above all.

We’re very lucky to have Gary on our team to lend his expertise in content, storytelling and digital marketing.

10/03/2025

Here's a behind-the-scenes look of what went into the mural! Celebrate, Educate & Connect TOMORROW, Saturday, October 4th, from 11am - 1pm for the mural celebration! There will be artist pop-ups, music, refreshments, and a free arts activity for the community to enjoy!

Video credit:

09/27/2025

📅 Please join us in celebration of the mural on Saturday, October 4th, from 11am - 1pm at the mural site, south-facing wall of the Comedy Vault (18 E Wilson St, Batavia). There will be artist pop-ups, music, refreshments, and a free arts activity for the community to enjoy!

🍻 After the celebration, be sure to visit Sturdy Shelter Brewing to enjoy a Good Energy Grapefruit Radler - back for a limited time in honor of the mural!

🎨 You can finish off the artsy afternoon at Water Street Studios (160 S Water Street) for Community Day, an open house at the art center with an opportunity to engage in a creative writing workshop from 2 - 4 pm. Community Day programming is thanks to a grant from our friends at Batavia United Way 🫶

Batavia MainStreet

09/20/2025

🙌 That's a wrap on the Good Energy Mural! All of us at the public art initiative and Water Street Studios would like to give a big thank you to the 75+ volunteers who joined us over the week to execute this mural, we could not have done this with out your time and talents! Also, thanks to our project manager Josh Schultz; color specialist, Rebekah Axtell; and committee members, Bonnie Baumgartner, Sabrina Martin, Rebecca Allen, Abby Beck, Lori Botterman, Bill McGrath, Ellyn Theis, and Anita Wolff.

📅 Please save the date for Saturday, October 4th. We will be hosting a celebration at the mural (18 E Wilson Street) from 11 am - 1 pm. Additional details to follow.

🫶 PS - you like what Water Street Studios is doing for our community? You can still contribute towards the public art program at: https://givebutter.com/wssgatewaymural

Donations of $30 or more will receive a print of the winning design - available for pick up at the launch celebration!

📸 credit:

Water Street Studios Batavia MainStreet

09/11/2025

Who has stopped by to see the incredible progress on the “Good Energy” mural?! It’s almost done!! Designed by Amy Decker (.art)

📸: BPAI (left to right) Rebecca Allen, Ellyn Theis, Joshua Schultz, Lori Botterman, Abby Beck, Bonnie Baumgartner, Sabrina Martin & Bill McGrath

08/30/2025

Thanks for the share Kane County Chronicle - Shaw Local !

Sign up to paint here: https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C084EA8AD2CA0FECF8-57799239-gateway

In art imitating life, a new mural coming to Batavia will tout “A City of Good Energy,” and community members are invited to help paint the south wall of The Comedy Vault.

08/20/2025

The BPAI Committee; along with Michael Marconi, owner of the mural property; and key City of Batavia, Illinois - Government Offices officials are humbled by the over 30 submissions for the Batavia Gateway Mural. We are completely enamored by all of the artists who tossed their hat into the ring, and although each of you made this process SO DIFFICULT, we can’t thank you enough for participating.

We tasked the artists to interpret the mural theme “Good Energy” (a play on words on Batavia’s tagline, “The City of Energy), to welcome travelers and locals alike into our beautiful town as they drive, bike, or walk past the blank wall behind the Comedy Vault!

After FOUR rounds of jury selections, we are so honored and excited to announce that Amy Decker, Art Educator from Hinkley-Big Rock High School as our winning designer.

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃
As an educator in a small town, I teach drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, and sculpture. This broad experience across mediums has allowed me to approach my work with flexibility, creativity, and an openness to experimentation.

𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 & 𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐌
My work often layers natural elements, vivid color, and symbolic forms to explore themes of identity, perception, and interconnectedness.

𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋
This mural project represents my step into the broader professional art world and expanding my practice beyond my classroom.

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘-𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐃
Working with my students has grounded my work in connection, accessibility, and the power of art to bring people together.

Please enjoy a brief sampling of some of Amy’s incredible work, and keep your eyes 👀 peeled for her mural design! If you’d like to donate or participate in the painting of the mural, check the link in our bio! 🔗

06/18/2025

𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦!

Batavia Public Art Initiative is thrilled to be seeking portfolio submissions for our newest mural project, “The City of Good Energy”

🎊 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘:
A vibrant paint-by-number style mural, “The City of Good Energy,” will celebrate Batavia’s spirit; community pride, outdoor fun, and welcoming charm. It must include “The City of Good Energy” and “Batavia, IL.”

✨ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗧:
Samples of your artwork that reflect your style and align with the mural’s tone.

✅ 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦:
The BPAI committee will blind-jury to 5 artist ✌portfolios to submit a formal mural design proposal for consideration.

💸 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
$250 for each of the 5 selected artists to create a design.
Additional $1,000 (total $1,250) and a sign with name recognition for the artist with the winning design.

🎨 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 & 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
The selected design will be completed by volunteers under a project manager’s supervision. The selected artist will not be responsible for any painting of the mural, however, they may choose to volunteer to paint during installation.

📅 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗢:
Monday, June 23rd

𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢 & 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗢!
https://waterstreetstudios.org/good-energy-mural

06/11/2025

See you tonight! We have a fun painting activity for kiddos and lots to share!

🥕 Remember, there are two options to shop the Batavia Farmers' Market each week! The Wednesday Evening Farmers' Market is back on N. River Street TOMORROW, Wednesday, June 11 from 5-8 pm!

🎉 Enjoy fresh produce, local treats, hand-piped cannoli, artisan sauces, flowers, and more from 20 amazing vendors!

🎨 PLUS visit with our friends from the Batavia Public Art Initiative and talk about the new mural coming to Batavia!

👏 Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors Leafguard Brand Gutters & The Move Smarter Team - BHHS Chicago.

🫶 A Batavia MainStreet program