By William Smith
Community Editor
A mural is taking shape on the side of the Jennison building, encompassing almost everything that defines Burlington — from Snake Alley to the church steeples.
West Burlington mural painter Craig Jacoba began the 60-foot-by 30-foot painting a few weeks ago, spending up to 24 straight hours on a lift that puts him face-to-face with the brick finish of the building.
“I think this is something we are going to be proud of,” Burlington Councilman Robert Critser said.
By May 16, the painting should be ready for an official unveiling. It’s larger and sits higher in the air than Jacoba had planned.
He wanted to ensure that it could be seen from U.S. 34 as visitors come into town. The paint should last at least 30 years.
“This one has been tough, just because of the wind and snow. It’s the first time I’ve ever painted in the snow,” Jacoba said, continuing to paint as he was interviewed.
Amy Moyner, executive Director of Downtown Partners, said the mural is the first of dozens that will dot the Burlington landscape in the coming years.
“Public art helps bring culture and a vibrant welcome to the community,” she said.
The tagline for the project is “Embracing the Past While Painting Our Future.”
“We have identified 27 buildings (owners) who want murals. I’m working on grants, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority has put out some art and cultural grants, as well. They are a 50/50 match,” she said.
Funded primarily by sponsorships through the Chamber of Commerce, the mural is the latest project by the Greater Burlington Partnership’s leadership class.
Each year they are tasked with creating a group project that will benefit the community. The class raised $12,000 for the project.
Burlington Mayor Jon Billups expressed excitement about the project when it was presented to the council last month. Councilman Matt Rinker wrote a check for the project on the spot.
Making Murals
Jacoba has gained a reputation in the area for his detailed murals, including school mascots inside Mediapolis and Danville High Schools. In addition, he has painted art at Fort Madison High School, the pediatric unit at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, the J and S Electronics parking lot, and Case New Holland.
Jacoba has painted everything he could get his hands on since he was a child, but has no formal art training. He learned by doing, acting as his own guide for his talent. He won his first art contest in third grade but never sought formal training.
“I never thought about art school,” Jacoba said.
He never had to. Jacoba has been making a living with his brush since he was 16-years-old when he painted his first race car. He has painted over 700 of them since then.
“Even in school, I was painting for people on a canvas. One of my first jobs was painting lettering on an anhydrous tank while one was being sandblasted right beside me. I’m getting hit with sand, and I’m lettering,” he said with a laugh.
That led to mural painting, though Jacoba has no idea how many he’s painted over the past 40 years.
He just turned 60, and powers through 24-hour painting shifts by chugging two-liter bottles of Mountain Dew — though not as much as he used to.
“I’m down to two 2 liters a day,” he said with a grin.
A father of three daughters and grandfather to four children, Jacoba has never considered working for someone else.
His mother worked a 9-to-5 factory job at Champion Spark Plug for more than 30 years. As much as he respected her for it, he could never imagine doing it himself.
“This is easy. I don’t want to get a real job. This is not really a job to me,” he said.
Painting on Brick
Painting the brick wall of the Jennison building, next to the lot that serves as overflow parking for The Drake restaurant, is the most challenging mural Jacoba has worked on.
“I’ve already got three coats of paint down on that,” he said, pointing to his painting of Chief Blackhawk. “The wall is so porous, it just sucks up that paint.”
Planning the mural was as much a production as painting it. He had to use his daughter’s garage to have enough room to spread paper over pieces of sheetrock just to draw the outline. He perforated the paper before putting it on the brick wall downtown, then covered it in powder.
“When I take all that paper off, all that powder goes through those little holes and leaves my outline. So I don’t have to guess how this is going to look. I already know how it’s going to look. And I can move it around to my liking,” he said.
Due to the continual contours of the brick, Jacoba has been using an airbrush. He hops down from his lift every few hours to make sure the painting is going to plan. Continual bouts of rain and high winds have slowed the process.
“I was up here the other day really high, and the wind caught the lift and just banged it right against the wall,” Jacoba said.
When it’s done, Jacoba will take a moment to relax, building intricate model ships — his only real hobby outside of painting.
As an accomplished artist for hire, there’s always another mural around the corner.
“I have to go meet up with somebody tomorrow about a mural,” he said, turning his airbrush back on the brick wall.
Unveiling and ribbon cutting for this mural will be at 4:30 p.m. May 16, in the 400 block of North Main Street. The ceremony is open to the public.