All About Paint the Town

For one Saturday each September, Morrison’s downtown is transformed into an outdoor canvas for hundreds of amateur artists of all ages who gather to “Paint the Town.” The Children’s Art Preservation Association created this unique family art event as a way for the community to participate in the arts together, as families and individuals. The focus of the event is the painting of five-foot squares on and around Morrison’s Main Street. The number of squares painted has grown steadily since the event’s debut in 1994, when 250 squares were painted, to more than 1,600 squares by more than 2,000 children, families and individuals during Paint the Town. Annually, more than 6,000 attend the event to enjoy the painting, variety of entertainment, and great food. 

Our Mission

Founded in 1993, the Children’s Art Preservation Association (CAPA) exists to serve both young artists and the community. The board is made up of local educators and citizens who believe that children deserve recognition and encouragement for their creative work in the visual arts.

To provide this recognition CAPA, as a not for profit organization, devotes it’s resources to preserving and displaying the art of Children in the Morrison community, sponsors activities that promote and encourage participation in the visual arts, supports the work of local artists and partners with local schools to create programs that expand opportunities for instruction and appreciation of the visual arts. All of CAPA’s goals, events and programs are designed to add new artistic dimension and enrich the life of the community. All proceeds from events are directed back into the community in support of this mission.

CAPA has been recognized by the Illinois Alliance for Art Education for it’s development of Paint the Town and supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Paint the Town has also been featured in the National Main Street Program’s publication on notable festivals and events, and Quad City Public Television Station, WQPT’s weekly journal, Living in Iowa.