Artists will transform three walls near South Second Street and Sixth Avenue South from Aug. 18–22, followed by live music, children’s activities, a fashion show and the Paint it Back Block Party.
Clinton, IA — Paint it Back will bring its large-scale murals and annual community celebration to Downtown Clinton for the first time from Aug. 18–22, 2026.
Artists will transform three walls near the intersection of South Second Street and Sixth Avenue South, around the MTA Central Transfer Point at 134 Sixth Ave. S. Visitors can watch the murals develop throughout the week before the project concludes with a daylong block party Saturday.
The move begins a new phase for Paint it Back after three years of creating an open-air gallery on a vacant building in Clinton’s Lyons District.
“Paint it Back has always been about more than painting walls. It’s about showing what happens when artists and a community dream together,” co-founder Gabi Torres said. “After seeing the incredible response over the last three years, we listened to the call to bring the energy to another part of Clinton.”
Related: How Clinton artist Gabriella Torres transformed a downtown park into an outdoor gallery
Artists begin painting Aug. 18
The transformation will begin Tuesday, Aug. 18, when participating artists start sketching their designs and painting the new murals. Members of the public may visit the downtown block during the week to watch the work progress.
Paint it Back was founded in 2023 by Torres and Chris Shannon to use public art to renew overlooked spaces, attract visitors and create new gathering places in Clinton.
This year’s downtown location will extend that work to another part of the city while bringing festival programming to a block outside the event’s previous home.
“Our district covers 16 blocks, and we are always looking for ways to bring programming to all of our blocks,” Downtown Director Megan Dove said. “Being able to move Music on the Avenue and then help put on the Saturday festival helps us bring people to all of our downtown.”
Music on the Avenue joins Paint it Back on Aug. 20
Music on the Avenue will move to the Paint it Back site Thursday, Aug. 20, for a special downtown edition featuring live music by The Stockwells.
The evening will also include mural painting, food trucks and a screening of the Paint it Back documentary short film after sunset. Activities will take place at South Second Street and Sixth Avenue South.
Paint it Back Block Party schedule
The festival will conclude Saturday, Aug. 22, with the Paint it Back Block Party. Artists will add the final details to their murals while the surrounding streets host music, art, fashion, children’s activities, food trucks, vendors and a cruise-in car show.
Scheduled activities include:
- Noon to 4 p.m.: Kids Zone with paver painting, a large children’s wall, decorated spray cans, chalk art, face painting and additional activity booths.
- Noon to 6 p.m.: Art and Fashion Market featuring 10 pop-up boutiques with handmade and curated merchandise.
- Noon to 3 p.m.: DJ music.
- 2 to 7 p.m.: Street Art Battle featuring visiting artists Stick Mang and Other Dude.
- 3 to 4 p.m.: Live music by Drama Major.
- 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Paint it Back Fashion Show presented by Wright House of Fashion, featuring more than 30 outfits and music from a 1990s rap DJ.
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Live music by High Five Sinners.
- 8 to 9 p.m.: Live music by Malortians.
Street Art Battle brings a head-to-head competition downtown
During the Street Art Battle, Stick Mang and Other Dude will create separate pieces using the same theme and color palette. Festival visitors will be able to watch the competing works take shape over five hours.
The Block Party will also include food trucks, local vendors, interactive art experiences and community activities around the festival area.
What to know about Paint it Back 2026
- Dates: Tuesday, Aug. 18, through Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
- Location: South Second Street and Sixth Avenue South in Downtown Clinton, near the MTA Central Transfer Point at 134 Sixth Ave. S.
- Music on the Avenue: Thursday, Aug. 20.
- Paint it Back Block Party: Saturday, Aug. 22.
Festival updates, the artist lineup and additional information are available at PaintItBack.org and through Paint it Back’s social media pages.
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