New Route 66 mural painted in Wilmington

A recent high-school graduate finished painting a big Route 66 mural in downtown Wilmington, Illinois, last week.

Dylan Wallace, 18, put the finishing touches on the 18-foot-tall mural at 200 N. Water St. on Monday, according to Free Press Newspapers.

“I wanted to paint it so that it looks like it’s been up there for 100 years, even though it’s new,” Wallace said. “It turned out the way I wanted.”
Wallace was hired by building owners Ryan and Charles Jeffries. They told him what they wanted, the iconic highway’s emblem, and left the rest up to him. About 20 hours later, over a span of five days, Dylan put lessons learned in drafting and art classes at WHS to work. The white background was applied with roller and brush; the remaining colors and lettering were sprayed on by rattle can. […]

“You could say I’m one of those starving artists always available for hire,” Dylan joked. “But I was happy to do this because I love my town. I had the chance to be on the state football team, know the state cheerleaders, and everyone is friendly. If my art can in some way benefit the town, then so be it.”

The mural is about a block north of Baltimore Street, aka Route 66, in Wilmington.

Wilmington shop owners told the newspaper they’ve been impressed enough with Wallace’s work, they want to have him paint other, smaller projects.

(Image of Dylan Wallace and the new Route 66 mural in Wilmington, Illinois, by Jeni Wells via Facebook)