Walldog

Walldog is a term used to describe mural artists who paint external signs and murals used as advertisements throughout the United States around the turn of the century. In more recent history the name Walldog has been adopted by an international group of sign and mural artists who have had several mural painting events in cities and towns throughout the United States (although there have been events in Australia & Canada).

The Original Walldogs

The origins of the term Walldog have been handed down through the sign industry as a derogatory term used to describe mural painters around the turn of the century. These artists would paint advertisements on billboards and walls in many towns and cities. Many of these murals still survive today in the form of ghost signs. These artists were known for working like "dogs" through the heat of the summer sometimes in very perilous conditions.

The Beginnings of Modern Walldog Movement

In the early 90s a group of sign artists known as the Letterheads had become interested in preserving signpainting techniques of the past. One of these artists, Nancy Bennett, decided to have an event to paint murals in downtown Allerton, Iowa. The event was billed as a "Walldog Meet."

Walldog Meets

Cities and towns request a Walldog meet either through the walldog website or directly through artists associated with the modern walldog movement. The meet is usually organized by a committee of representatives from the town and a walldog event host. The committee, with the help of the event host, will select locations for all of the murals, get permissions from building owners and arrange any prep work that needs to be done prior to the meet.

Each of the murals has a leader or small team of leaders, selected by the event host. These project leaders oversee the design of the mural and guarantee its completion. The towns' hosting these meets typically find local families who are willing to allow the artists to stay in their home for the meet. Towns also usually feed the artists most of their meals throughout the event.

The murals usually portray something of historical importance to the town that they are contained in. Many of the murals focus on either famous people or events from the town's past or on historic businesses that no longer exist.

List of Past Walldog Events

Walldog Museum

In May 2010 Pontiac, Illinois opened a museum in honor of the Walldogs and their contribution to Pontiac. The International Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum focuses on the appreciation and preservation of painted signs and mural advertisements.