Annual Art Alley Clean-up Day Calls for BYOPW (Bring Your Own Powerwasher)

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2024
Annual Art Alley Clean-up Day Calls for BYOPW (Bring Your Own Powerwasher) 
 
WHAT: Art Alley Clean Up Day
WHEN: May 11 from 10am-2pm
WHERE: Art Alley, Downtown Rapid City

The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is excited to announce the second annual Art Alley Clean-Up Day on May 11, 2024. This initiative aims to refresh the city’s iconic Art Alley in anticipation of visitors and fresh murals for the summer season. 

Art Alley Clean-Up Day will kick off at 10:00 am behind Art House on Main Street (and between Sixth and Seventh Streets), where RCAC will distribute cleaning supplies and connect volunteers eager to make a difference in downtown this spring. From then until 2:00 pm, volunteers will pick up trash, power wash, cover unpermitted tags, and revitalize the space so artists and the community can enjoy the alley this summer.

This renowned downtown alleyway became a space for artistic expression more than 20 years ago as graffiti artists focused on the prime downtown brick walls. The “Art Alley” designation came about when artists and community members came together with city officials to recognize the importance of this public art locale. In 2016, the city called for a permit system to be managed by the Rapid City Arts Council. In 2023, Black Hills Energy completed a transformational construction project that buried infrastructure and expanded access to exposed brick walls and an open sky view. Today the walls change constantly, sometimes many times a day– making Art Alley a vibrant public art space and popular destination for artists, locals, and visitors.

Art Alley is a public space visited by thousands of people every year The Clean-Up Day effort ensures Rapid City looks its best. RCAC invites the public to be a part of the effort, whether you're a local business, a community organization, or an individual passionate about Art Alley, your support is invaluable in making Art Alley Clean-Up Day count. BYOPW - Bring your own power washer, if you can. RCAC will provide additional supplies and equipment. This year’s annual event is made possible through generous support from Visit Rapid City.

Join RCAC and the community on May 11th for a day of cleaning, collaboration, and community engagement to take back Art Alley.

To let us know you and your friends are coming to help please email [email protected]. Artists interested in painting murals in Art Alley can obtain permits at www.artalleyrc.com.

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For More Information:
Maggie Jean Wince
Rapid City Arts Council
605.394.4101 x5
[email protected]

The purpose of the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is to champion the power of art to bring all kinds of people together, making art more accessible, more integral and more inspiring for the communities we serve.​ RCAC was established by community leaders in 1968 and officially partnered with the city in 1974 to manage the Dahl Arts Center and expand arts and cultural resources. RCAC creates and supports diverse programming in exhibitions, performances, and educational classes. Supported by individual donors and organizations such as the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, John T. Vucurevich Foundation, the South Dakota Arts Council through the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, and others, RCAC is committed to enriching the community's artistic and cultural experiences. Located at 713 7th St in Downtown Rapid City, the center offers free admission and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Discover more at rapidcityartscouncil.org.