Paint it Back Block Party Returns to Clinton, IA: A Weeklong Explosion of Murals, Music, Fashion & Street Culture
August 16–23, 2025 | McKinley & Main, Clinton, Iowa
Clinton, IA — One of Clinton’s most vibrant and beloved traditions is back and bigger than ever. Paint it Back returns for its third annual festival, bringing with it a full week of public art, music, fashion, family fun, and community celebration from August 16–23, 2025.
The festival centers around the live mural transformation of a vacant car dealership at McKinley & Main, where nine acclaimed artists—from national street art pioneers to rising creative voices—will repaint every wall of the space with bold, colorful, large-scale works.
The weeklong celebration culminates in the Paint it Back Block Party on Saturday, August 23, a day-long event packed with live music, an adrenaline-filled Paint Battle, food, fashion, kids’ activities, and interactive art experiences.
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Weeklong Urban Gallery: August 16–22
Over the course of the week, the public is invited to watch the murals take shape, meet the artists, and experience the power of creative placemaking. Each wall painted tells a story, building on last year’s work and breathing new life into a once-vacant corner of Clinton.
Artists will be painting live throughout the week—transforming the dealership into a living, evolving mural gallery open to all.
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Paint it Back Block Party – Saturday, August 23 | 12PM–10PM
Street Art Paint Battle
Two artists. One wall each. Five hours. A $500 cash prize on the line.
Sponsored by AdCraft Custom Apparel and Mech, this live showdown brings street art to life in real time—raw, competitive, and unforgettable.
Family-Friendly Fun (Starting at Noon)
Kids’ Wall with stencils and space for young creatives
Face painting, glitter tattoos, and balloon animals from Busker Entertainment
Games and activities by Clinton Public Library
Live Music Lineup
DJs spinning from Noon–5PM
Bill & Dan Dunmore (Harvest Band) – 5:00–7:00PM
The Malortians – 7:00–8:00PM
The Stockwells – 8:00–10:00PM
Fashion & Art Experience
Fashion Tent curated by Mama Gets Casual
AMIDST Magazine Lounge from Dubuque featuring:
Clothing swap & upscaling station
“Styled by AMIDST” photo shoot experience
Fashion designers: Nashipai, Pink Moons Cree, Dotlizhi
Local and regional art vendors
Food & Drinks All Day
Local food trucks and vendors on-site
The Rusty Wagon serving up drinks for the 21+ crowd
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Call for Artists: Apply for the Paint Battle
Think you’ve got what it takes? Artists are invited to apply to compete in the Street Art Paint Battle by submitting:
3 samples of recent work
A short artist bio
An artist statement
Application Deadline: July 15 | Selected Artists Announced: July 25
To apply or for more information, visit: https://paintitback.org/paint-battle-2025/
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Why It Matters
Paint it Back is more than an event—it’s a movement. It turns forgotten spaces into vibrant community canvases, celebrating creativity, inclusion, and connection. What started as a vacant building is now Clinton’s unofficial cultural hub, growing more colorful each year thanks to the power of public art.
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Stay Connected
Follow the festival for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and live coverage:
Instagram & Facebook: @PaintItBack
Hashtags: #PaintItBack #ClintonIA #StreetArtFestival #LiveMurals #BlockPartyVibes #MidwestMurals #PublicArtPower
