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    • Tourism
    • Lake Shelbyville >
      • History & Dam
      • Visitor's Center
      • Marinas
      • Trails
      • Fishing
      • Horseback Riding
      • Hunting
      • Camping
    • Things to Do >
      • Historic Downtown >
        • Historical Society
        • Local Lore
      • Lake Events
      • Farmers Market
      • Festival of Lights
      • CityWalk Tours >
        • Lincoln Memorial
        • Painted Figures
        • Victorian Homes
      • General Dacey Trail
      • Area Wineries
      • Golf Courses
    • Sites to See >
      • Area Photos
      • Aquatic Center
      • Best Wedding Chapel
      • Forest Park
      • Boarman's Auto Museum
      • Boarman's Roxy Theatre
      • Chautauqua Auditorium
      • County Courthouse
      • Public Library
      • The Goat Tower
      • Visitor's Center
      • Kaskaskia River
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Painted Figures

A self-guided family fun art tour made possibly by local business and organizations of Shelbyville, IL.

About the Painted Figures

The Painted Figures portray a little taste of life in Shelbyville, Illinois and are modeled after everyday people and families in town.  It is an ongoing art project and a scavenger hunt created by artists Carol Kessler and Dan Modzelewski.

From a distance, the figures look like they are actual people with a shadow cast on the walls, but they are actually on sheets of aluminum metal attached to the buildings.

Ms. Bonnie Potter, a local resident of Shelbyville and a long term supporter of the Shelby County Art Show, brought the idea of the painted figures and murals that she had seen in Greenville, IL to Dan and Carol.

Since 2004, “Painted Figures” has been featured in multiple area news including the Herald-Review, Decatur, IL.  It is brought to you by local businesses and organizations helping to showcase Shelbyville as a charming and interesting place to visit and to live.

Enjoy! Check out the tour video and let the artists take you behind-the-scenes of the Painted Figures tour now.
A – “Play It Safe.  Wear a Life Jacket” by Carol Kessler
Coming from Rt 16 E, you will find the first stop of this tour by the USACE Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center at Dam East.  While you are here, check out the wonderful exhibits inside the visitor center and discover all the fun activities around the lake.  Free public parking and restrooms are available at the center.

Year: 2012
Patron: US Army Corps of Engineers
Location: Rt 16 E – Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, Dam East
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B – “The Gardener” by Dan Modzelewski
Make a Right upon exiting the visitor center – follow the road along the lake.  At the stop sign, turn Left onto E North 9th St.  Go straight, you will find Forest Park on your Right.  Enter and the road will lead you to this painted figure at the Memorial Sunken Garden.  Park & Explore!

Year: 2004
Patrons: Shelbyville Garden Club and VFW
Location: E North 9th St – The Memorial Sunken Garden
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C – “Safety First” by Dan Modzelewski
This painted figure is also at the Forest Park and is located inside the Family Aquatic Center.  It is within walking distance from the garden and is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Along the way, visit Shelbyville’s historic Chautauqua Auditorium, over 120 years old.

Year: 2006
Patron: Kaskia-Kaw River Conservancy
Location: E North 9th St – Inside The Family Aquatic Center
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D – “Home Delivery” by Dan Modzelewski
Upon exiting Forest Park, make a right onto N 9th St.  When you reach Broadway St, make a Left to continue the tour in downtown Shelbyville.  Go straight and cross Main St.  Park your car at the S Broadway public parking lot on your left.  Walk back toward Main St to see this next painted figure on the corner of the Daily Union building.  You will also find the beautiful downtown Sister City Mini Park right across from “Home Delivery.”  If you are hungry, enjoy some delicious burgers, pizza, or sweet treats along Main St.

Year: 2005
Patron: Shelbyville Daily Union
Location: 100 W Main St & S Broadway St
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E – “Go Fly a Kite” by Dan Modzelewski
Proceed on and you will find this lovely painted figure right by the corner of E Main St and S Morgan St Along the way you can pick up beautiful quilts, local T-shirts, chocolates and fun knick-knacks as gifts for yourself and friends.

Year: 2006
Patron: Tomas & Nancy Cuellar
Location: 200 E Main St & S Morgan St
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F – “So Many Things to Do” by Dan Modzelewski
Continue on E Main, you will find this painted figure on the wall of the Shelby County Tourism Office located across the square.  While you are here, visit our tourism office and find out more fun activities to see and do around Shelby County!  There is a family restaurant nearby the square if you would like to sit down and enjoy a nice meal.

Year: 2006
Patron: Shelby County Tourism
Location: 301 E Main St
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G – “Wood Floors Our Specialty” by Carol Kessler
Walk down the north side of E Main St and make a right when you reach Morgan St.  At the corner, make another right on to N 1st to see this painted figure.  If you are looking for fine dining, you will find a delicious restaurant at the corner.

Year: 2005
Patron: Allred’s Floor Service Company
Location: 214 E North 1st St
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H – “Family on the Dacey Trail” by Dan Modzelewski
Across from N 1st St, you will find the Condov Plaza where this painted figure is located.  If you haven’t had a chance to visit the General Dacey Trail-a  MUST.

Year: 2006
Patron: Shelby County Community Services
Location: 249 N Morgan St
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I – “Curiosity” by Carol Kessler
Turn away from the Condov Plaza and head S on Morgan St.  You will find “Curiosity” close to the corner of E Main and N Morgan St.

Year: 2005
Patron: Shelby County State Bank
Location: Corner of E Main St & N Morgan St
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J – “$3.00 Ticket Please” by Carol Kessler
Proceed on the north side of E Main and you will find the beautiful historic Boarmans Roxy Theatre where this painted figure is located.  While you are here, find out what’s playing.  You will also find public restrooms and area literature next door.

Year: 2005
Patron: Shelbyville Chanber of Commerce
Location: 149 E Main St
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K – “Afternoon at the Movies” by Carol Kessler
You will find “Afternoon at the Movies,” in between the theater and the Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce.  While you are here, come in to find out any special sales around town.

Year: 2005
Patron: Shelbyville Chanber of Commerce
Location: 149 E Main St
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L – “Red Hat Damsels” by Carol Kessler
Walking down the street towards all the cute antiques, clothing, and gift shops, you will find this painted figure around the corner on N Broadway.  On your walk stop in local antique shop and stores for some pretty souvenirs to bring home.

Year: 2005
Patron: First Federal Savings and Loan
Location: Corner of E Main St & N Morgan St
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M – “Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall” by Dan Modzelewski
After souvenir shopping along E Main, cross Broadway an get a creative photo with “Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall” around the corner.

Year: 2006
Patron: Debbie Kyle & Pam Donnel
Location: W Main St & N Morgan St
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N – “Our Awesome God” by Carol Kessler
Continue on W Main St, you will find the gorgeous structure of the First United Methodist Church where this painted figure resides.

Year: 2005
Patron: Donated by the Artist
Location: 205 W Main St
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O – “First Day of School” by Carol Kessler
Just right next to the First United Methodist Church on W Main, you will find this painted figure at our Main Street Elementary school.  For a fun photo, enter the playground on W Main when school is out.

Year: 2007
Patron: Parents of Main Street School
Location: 225 W Main St
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P – “I Remember When” by Carol Kessler
Cross Main St and you will find this painted figure at Boarman’s Chevy BelAir Museum.  While you are here, come in and admire the beautiful collection of Chevrolet automobiles.  Afterwards, make sure you walk down W Main and visit the stunning historic home built in 1858 where you can also bring home some unique souvenirs.  When you are done, head back for your car.  You will need your vehicle to continue the rest of the tour.

Year: 2007
Patron: Pam & Bob Boarman
Location: 256 W Main St
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Q – “Check Us Out!” by Carol Kessler
From the parking lot, drive up S Washington St and make a left on to W Main St.  You will find “Check Us Out!” on your Left.

Year: 2006
Patron: Carl Grabb Motors
Location: 614 W Main St
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R – “Your Future Starts Here” by Carol Kessler
Make a right from W Main onto N Douglas and loop around to visit the Shelbyville High School.  See “Your Future Starts Here” at the school entrance.

Year: 2007
Patron: Shelbyville High School Class of 2005 & 2006
Location: W North 6th St
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S – “Agriculture Through the Year” by Carol Kessler
From the High School, turn right onto N 6th St, and another right onto Cedar St / Rt 128 N to visit this family fun artwork at the Shelby County Farm Bureau.

Year: 2008
Patron: Shelby County Farm Bureau
Location: N Rt 128
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T – “Looking Back” by Carol Kessler
Turn around and head back on Cedar St.  At the intersection, make a right onto W Main St.  You will find this painted figure on your right.

Year: 2007
Patron: Family Drug
Location: 1603 W Main St
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U – “Family Pleaser” by Carol Kessler
You will find this painted figure by continuing on W Main St / Rt 16 W at the drive-through of Monical’s Pizza Restaurant.  Grab a yummy slice here before continuing on your trip.

Year: 2005
Patron: Monical’s Pizza
Location: 1900 W Main St / Rt 16 W
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V – “While Parents Shop” by Carol Kessler
Continue on W Main St/Rt 16 W and turn Left into Johnstowne Mall.  The last painted figure is right by Ace Hardware. From here, continue your trip on Rt 16 W or head back into town to enjoy a memorable ROXY movie experience and a nice stroll along Lake Shelbyville and the Dacey trail.

Year: 2007
Patron: Ace Hardware
Location: W Main St / Rt 16 W – Inside Johnstowne Mall
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Learn More About the Painted Figures in Shelbyville

Schedule a visit to the Flourishes Gallery and Studios (217-827-5690) in downtown Shelbyville to see more artwork by Carol Kessler, Dan Modzelewski and area artists.   For information on all CityWalk tours, contact Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society (217-774-2260), Shelby County Tourism (217-774-2244), and USACE Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center (217-774-3951).

A printable PDF version of this tour is available here.

Photos Courtesy of Donna Lupton, SCHGS

Special Thanks to:
City of Shelbyville, USACE Lake Shelbyville, Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society, Shelbyville High School Welding Team, Shelby County Tourism/Lake Shelbyville Area CVB, Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce, ShelbyvilleWorks!, Economic Development Council of Shelby County, Shelbyville Industrial Development, Corner Copy, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Lake Land College and IIRA: Western Illinois University.

The Greater Shelbyville Chamber of commerce

The Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce has a mission to provide positive leadership with the highest standard of integrity. They encourage a strong local economy through business growth and retention with goals to enhance local quality of life through an informed membership and community.

Contact

P:  (217) 774-2221
F:  (217) 774-2243

143 E. Main St.
Shelbyville, IL 62565

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