Community renewal efforts in Watseka
Current Project: Mural Landscaping
Landscaping the mural site at 203 E. Walnut Street, downtown Watseka
Thank you for supporting Watseka Community Renewal and our downtown beautification efforts! With “Hubbard Trail: The Path That Built Watseka” now on the wall, the next step is completing the landscaping around it. Thanks to our generous sponsors, all 14 trees in our Sponsor a Tree fundraiser have been sponsored. Our next fundraiser is engraved brick pavers, and all funds go toward beautifying and landscaping the area surrounding the mural. Watch how the mural came to life.
See Every Name on the Paver Wall
Fill this out first so we know exactly what to engrave. Then pay $125 by check or online by card. Please use one form per brick. Orders must be received by January 31, 2027. Prefer paper? Print the order form instead.
We’ve received your order. One more step: make your $125 payment online.
Online payments are processed securely by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley on a page set up just for our engraved bricks, and your payment goes straight to the Watseka Community Renewal fund. Please pay $125 for each brick you ordered, and use the same name as on this form so we can match your payment to your inscription.
The payment page opens in a new tab. Questions? Call Helen Gerber at 815-383-3361.
We’ve received your order. To finish it, please mail your check:
Once your payment arrives, your brick will join our Paver Wall. Thank you for leaving your mark on Watseka!
Prefer paper? Print the order form and mail it in with your check, or email it to WatsekaCommunityRenewal@gmail.com. Questions? Call Helen Gerber at 815-383-3361.
If you have any questions about the landscaping project, call us at 847-867-9255 or email WatsekaCommunityRenewal@gmail.com.
Thank you for helping us grow and beautify our community!
Public Art Project
A community mural at 203 E. Walnut Street, downtown Watseka
Watseka Community Renewal is bringing a brand-new mural to downtown Watseka, celebrating the rich history and enduring spirit of our community. Centered on the theme “Hubbard Trail: The Path That Built Watseka,” the mural is a vibrant reminder of our shared heritage, and, true to our mission, it was built by the community. Residents chose the design, helped bring it to life, and helped pay for it. The mural was unveiled at 203 E. Walnut Street on October 2, and we are now landscaping the space around it. Thanks to our sponsors, every tree is sponsored.
Click a design to see it full size. Option 2 won the community vote, and it is the design now on the wall.
Painted panel by panel, by the hands of people who live here.
Carol Kaufmann created the winning design and is leading the project’s volunteer artists, guiding the work from first sketch to final panel.
The painting is happening at her workshop, where community volunteers work alongside her, no professional training required. It is exactly how we hoped this mural would come together.
Rather than paint straight onto brick, the mural was painted on aluminum panels, which are mounted at 203 E. Walnut Street.
That choice protects the artwork for the long run. Panels can be maintained and repaired, and if it ever becomes necessary, they can be taken down and moved to another location without losing the mural. It is built to outlast the wall it hangs on.
Hear about the mural landscaping, upcoming projects, events, and ways to get involved. We’ll only email when there’s something worth sharing.
The community turned out in a big way, both online and at in-person ballot stations throughout July:
A total of 1,276 votes were counted, and Design Option 2 came out on top. That design is now up at 203 E. Walnut Street. Sign up for email updates to hear what WCR takes on next.
Volunteer: The mural is finished, and we are grateful to every volunteer who picked up a brush. There is always more ahead, so if you’d like to help with future projects, check the volunteer box in the sign-up form above and we’ll be in touch.
Donate: Contributions cover the aluminum panels, high-quality paint, weatherproofing, artist fees, and equipment, and they keep the mural protected for years to come. Give online, or mail a check to Watseka Community Renewal, 103 W. Cherry St., Watseka, IL 60970.
Donate to the MuralCompleted · 2026
Through a pilot project, Watseka Community Renewal supported local businesses with small grants for storefront improvements, marketing, and operational growth. In our first funding cycle we awarded five grants of $1,000 each to Watseka businesses. Applications closed on April 1, 2026, and the recipients have been announced.
View Grant Details & Recipients