AC Mural Fest announces 2025 artist lineup

Alternating Currents and Quad City Arts are proud to announce the artists selected for this year’s AC Mural Fest for five locations in Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. The murals will be installed beginning the week of Aug. 10, 2025, transforming blank walls into bold, meaningful public art.

“We were surprised to receive 92 artist submissions from throughout the U.S. and the world for AC Mural Fest this year. It’s a testament to the work we’re doing to cultivate the QC as the creative capital of the Midwest,” said Alisha Espey, festival director. “Through Alternating Currents, we’re adding five new murals that will live in our downtowns well beyond the festival, joining other pieces of public art as artistic landmarks that reflect our community’s creative spirit.”

2025 Mural Artists

Lorenzo Fontanella (Speker) | Los Angeles, CA

Mural location: Skellington Manor Event Center, 420 18^th St., Rock Island, IL

Raised in Milan, Italy’s graffiti scene, Speker now focuses on figurative realism, exploring emotion and identity through expressive portraits. His work appears across Europe and the United States.

-        Instagram: @speker_1 | Website: speker1.com

Molly Keen | Williams, Arizona

Mural location: RiverCenter Parking Ramp (pedestrian walkway on 2^nd floor), 102 E. 2^nd St. Davenport, IA

Muralist Molly Keen is known for vibrant, whimsical works that transform spaces and spark connection. She has painted over 70 murals in 38 cities across 23 countries. Her latest work, to be installed in a downtown parking garage, continues her colorful and imaginative approach.

-        Instagram: @mollykeenart | Website: mollykeenart.com

Dominic Laporte (Drift Mural Co.) | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Mural location: Bulldog Arms, 2211 Grant St., Bettendorf, IA

Co-founder of DRIFT Mural Co., Laporte is known for large-scale murals that explore our emotional and ecological interconnectedness. His piece, "Lost Frequencies," merges realism and surrealism with symbolic elements from nature.

-        Instagram: @domlasoul / @driftmuralco | Website: driftmurals.com

Matthew Mederer | Chicago, Illinois

Mural location: WHBF, 231 18^th St., Rock Island, IL

Known as Cool Disco Rich, Mederer blends realism and optical illusion in work that challenges perception. His murals have appeared on NBC’s Chicago P.D. and in brand campaigns for Vans and Cisco.

-        Instagram: @cooldiscorich | Website: cooldiscorich.com

Tomás Richter (SENHOR) | Lisbon, Portugal

Mural location: Marigold Resources, 308 E. River Dr., Davenport IA

A visual artist inspired by nature, comics and underground culture, SENHOR’s surrealist murals are filled with imaginative detail. His work includes a 60-meter mural at Boom Festival and a solo exhibition at CRACK KIDS Lisboa.

-        Instagram: @o.senhor | Website: estudiodosenhor.com

“Quad City Arts is proud to partner on this initiative and help bring internationally recognized muralists to the region,” said Ben Gougeon, director of community engagement at Quad City Arts. “This work helps shape a more vibrant, art-forward Quad Cities.”

Additionally, the mural fest initiative includes a new community mural project led by local artist Sarah Robb, located at the AC Block Party at Common Chord. Festivalgoers will be invited to contribute to the piece, fostering a collective expression of creativity and belonging.

The Alternating Currents Mural Fest is supported by key partners including Regional Development Authority, Rhythm City Casino, Rubberstamps.net, Scott County Regional Authority, City of Rock Island, Hupp Toyota-Lift and Altorfer CAT.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to visit mural sites throughout the week to see the works in progress and watch the creative process unfold. Download the free Alternating Currents app to learn more about each artist and their projects.

About Alternating Currents

Alternating Currents festival was founded in 2017 by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber. Now powered by DDP and expanded through placemaking partnerships with Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance, the festival thrives thanks to the many partners and businesses who collaborate to deliver a dynamic and inclusive experience.

With more than 200 performances and events across music, film, comedy and visual art, Alternating Currents transforms downtown spaces into stages, galleries and gathering places. Nearly all programming is open to the public with no ticket required, inviting audiences to discover a wide range of creative experiences throughout the weekend.

This year’s leading supporters include Presenting Sponsors Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort, as well as Major Partners Rubberstamps.net and Scott County Regional Authority, Accessibility Sponsor Bechtel Trust and Arts Partner The Cultural Trust. Additional programming and supporting sponsors include Estes Construction, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Nature’s Treatment of Illinois, The Last Picture House, MidAmerican Energy, Express Employment Professionals, Quad City Arts, Hupp Toyota-Lift and Altorfer CAT. Hive Event Consulting serves as a producing partner. Media Partners include KWQC, Quad-City Times & Dispatch-Argus, Townsquare Media, Planet 93.9 and WQPT.