If you're planning a visit to Jasper County, Indiana, you've probably heard about the murals. More than 50 public artworks now brighten downtown Rensselaer and the neighboring towns of Remington, DeMotte, and Wheatfield — with the trail even reaching into bordering counties. What we didn't expect ten years ago was how deeply these walls would reshape not just a downtown, but an entire community's identity.
As we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of RenArtWlk this past summer in Rensselaer, we wanted to sit down and reflect on what's happened, what local voices like Ryan Preston have shared about the transformation they've witnessed, and what comes next for Jasper County tourism.
Key Takeaway: What began as a single mural project in Rensselaer has evolved into a county-wide public arts movement that attracts visitors from across Indiana and beyond—proving that small communities can create big cultural impact.
The Beginning: Painting on a Neglected Downtown
Ten years ago, downtown Rensselaer looked different. According to Indiana Connection's county profile, the area had slipped into decline after St. Joseph's College closed. Strip malls dominated what had once been a walkable, connected downtown. Buildings aged, businesses stagnated, and the sense of civic pride dimmed.
"It's done a great thing to give Rensselaer an identity," said Ryan Preston — an artist, a contractor, and, over the years, our dear friend. He originally invited Cameron into town to paint that first mural.
What followed surprised us all. The first mural attracted attention. Not just from tourists passing through on I-65, but from locals who hadn't seen art in public space before. Graffiti and tagging weren't common here, so seeing a full-wall piece went from shocking to celebrated.
One thing crystalized quickly: when we invited kids to fill in portions of the mural during summer breaks, they didn't just watch — they took ownership. As Ryan explains in the Talking Walls Podcast episode we have coming up, that initial participation meant everything. "It's something that we got to be a part of," he put it. "These kids grow up and they're like, I painted that shape right there."
That communal ownership became the foundation for everything after.
From "Pump the Brakes" to "Keep Going"
We won't lie. We were skeptical early on about whether a mural festival in a small Indiana town could sustain itself. Rensselaer is a community of roughly 6,000 people in Jasper County, surrounded by cornfields and rooted in Midwestern practicality. Despite this, to our surprise, the artists kept coming. Heavy-hitting creators from across the country volunteered to spend a week in our "teeny tiny town," working side-by-side with locals who had never met them before. They stayed in our Airbnbs, caught fireflies with their families, and discovered what rural Indiana hospitality feels like up close.
Slowly, the city started to notice. What began as a handful of volunteers carrying the weight evolved into monthly city meetings, new murals mapped out by the Jasper County Tourism Commission, and eventually, the creation of a Mural Passport to guide visitors through the growing trail.
The city and county officially embraced the mural identity, and it's become one of the standout reasons people discover Jasper County.
Revitalization Beyond the Walls
The economic impact has been tangible — and not in the way that leads to displacement or gentrification. This was always a concern we held closely after watching it unfold in our hometown of San Francisco. Instead, the murals created a spark that drew investment to places that desperately needed it.
A primary example? Embers Bistro. That corner used to be an abandoned service station and a gravel lot — a total eyesore. We got to be part of turning it into a restaurant and event venue that's become one of the busiest spots in the county. [Optional: add a stat here if you have one — e.g., "Since opening, Embers has served over ___ guests a year," or seating/capacity numbers.] People exit off I-65 just to eat there, and locals fill it up on weekends. Between private events and dinner service, it's not just Embers winning — the shops around it on Washington Street get the spillover too. It proved something we believed all along: a real, experience-driven destination can absolutely thrive in a small town.
Local businesses noticed. New owners stepped into older buildings. People started walking more. The alleys that used to feel dark and forgotten now hold vibrant, colorful expressions of creativity.
"There's a lot more business going on now that is geared toward creative outlets," Preston added in Indiana Connection. "Rensselaer is becoming a place that is very motivated to decorate time with music and decorate space with art."
A Cultural Shift Across Jasper County
What's remarkable is that this isn't just a Rensselaer story anymore. It's a Jasper County story.
According to the Prairie Arts Council, the festival has expanded to include Art in the Alley activations, live music, games, and crafts at Filson Park. The event now draws participation from towns across the county:
|
Town |
Main Street Organization |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Rensselaer |
Rensselaer Main Street |
Launch point since year one |
|
Remington |
Remington Main Street |
Active expansion south |
|
DeMotte |
DeMotte Chamber |
North end growth |
|
Wheatfield |
Wheatfield Chamber |
Regional participation |
Across the county, similar transformations are unfolding. Farmers' markets draw crowds on Thursday nights. Local breweries and wineries connect visitors to agricultural roots. Festivals like Touch of Dutch, Little Cousin Jasper, and the annual Jasper County Fair bring regional attention and tourism dollars. The Jasper County Welcome Center now serves as a hub where travelers can pick up a Mural Passport, learn about history, and get oriented to the mural trail.
But none of it happens in isolation. The murals create a gateway into these other experiences. Someone who comes for a wall painting ends up spending the evening at a bistro, visiting a farm stand, attending a festival, and deciding to return. That's the multiplier effect we never fully anticipated a decade ago.
Artists as Developers: Thinking Long-Term
One conversation we've had repeatedly over the years centers on sustainability. For artists, there's rarely a traditional retirement path. For contractors and builders, physical labor becomes harder with age. For both professions, income depends on active work, and if you're not painting or building, you're not eating.
That's why we started thinking differently about what it means to invest in a place. It's not enough to create beautiful walls. We needed to build infrastructure that outlasts the spray paint.
That's why we partnered on our first Airbnb downtown, why we're exploring ways for locals to own property and open businesses, and why we've committed to staying engaged even when we're not physically in Rensselaer. When we're in San Francisco, we still track local news, participate in community conversations, and send messages about upcoming events.
"You can bring all the money in the world to something," Ryan explained in his podcast interview, "but it's not going to be effective use of money unless you are involving local relationships."
We agree. And we believe other artists should too.
What Comes Next?
At ten years, we're not slowing down. In fact, this year felt like the turning point where the vision finally aligned with reality. City leadership has stepped up. Community members are applying to paint their own walls. The Mural Passport connects visitors to local commerce. And we're just beginning the work of scaling this model thoughtfully.
There's a lot of room to grow. According to the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, the Rensselaer Art Walk (RenArtWlk) now features dozens of murals throughout downtown by artists from around the world, with additional works in nearby Remington.
New projects are on the horizon. More collaborations are forming. And for anyone reading this who wants to discover Jasper County — whether you're here for the murals, the festivals, the food, or the small-town atmosphere — you'll find a community that's been reshaped by art and is ready to welcome you.
FAQs About Visiting Jasper County
Q: Is there an entrance fee for the mural tour? A: No, the RenArtWlk mural trail is completely free and accessible year-round.
Q: Are the murals family-friendly? A: Absolutely. Many murals were designed with local children participating in the creation process.
Q: Can I book a guided tour? A: Contact the Jasper County Tourism Commission for guided tour options and group rates.
Q: What's the best time to photograph the murals? A: Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting conditions for photos.
Q: Are there other attractions besides murals? A: Yes! Jasper County offers golf courses, wineries, breweries, farms, and seasonal festivals like Touch of Dutch and Oktoberfest. See the full things to do in Jasper County list.
Come Visit
If you're planning a trip to Jasper County, we'd love to welcome you. We started this project wondering if people would care about murals in a rural town. Now, ten years later, we know the answer. They do care. They invest. They come back.
Thank you to everyone who's been part of this journey — including the Jasper County Tourism Commission, Main Street Rensselaer, the Prairie Arts Council, and countless local residents who are now our dear friends.
Here's to the next ten years in Jasper County together.
Want to dive deeper into the RenArtWlk story? Be on the lookout for Ryan Preston's episode on the Talking Walls Podcast, where he shares his firsthand perspective on how public art transformed a neglected downtown into a thriving creative corridor.
For City Leaders & Community Organizations
Part of a different audience? This section is for you.
Inspired by what ten years of murals have done for Rensselaer? If your city or organization wants to spark this kind of transformation in your own downtown, reach out. We've learned a lot along the way and would love to work alongside you to make it a reality.
Contact Talking Walls at (415) 505-5720 or info@talkingwalls.art.