Covington’s newest art collective, Immersion Alley, is taking the idea of a mural to the next level.
“The Wenzel House” mural is more than just a large image of a building: It is a “hyper-realistic, fine-art experience with interactive doors, 3D elements and multiple scavenger hunts,” per a release from the artists.
The exhibit will occupy both sides of Tobacco Alley up to Electric Alley, off Madison Avenue. When patrons visit local businesses like Wenzel Whiskey and the Pickle Factory, instead of walking down an unlit alleyway, they will find themselves immersed in a Victorian shotgun home featuring a foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom.
Painted shadows, perspective, 3D elements and fully functioning doors will play with the viewer’s eye. Onlookers are welcome to open a cabinet to see what is inside. Immersion Alley invites the public to search for and discover the treasures hidden within “The Wenzel House” in this public art piece.
According to the artists, there are many reasons why this installation doesn’t fit the typical definition of a mural.
First, it is not being painted on an existing wall. The team at Immersion Alley is painting on clear PVC modular panels to attain a smooth surface and to avoid painting on a historical building.
It also contains two versions of a scavenger hunt. One is a game of “I Spy” in which each artist has hidden their own object somewhere in the house. You begin your search with just the silhouettes of each object. The other scavenger hunt is a saga of Covington lore, which requires research and knowledge of the city.
Amy Milburn, the woman responsible for the mural’s vision, knew what she wanted to do to transform an old alleyway, but not seeing anything like this before, she needed help figuring out where to start. That’s where the lead artists, Devan Horton and Gabrielle Siekman come in. Both are graduates of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. The lead artists gathered 12 other painters and together built the mural.
The Immersion Alley group also includes artists Wesley Ericson, Randy Godawa, Rachel Linnemann, Yuanrong Li, Clint Noble, Rashad Orlando, Serhiy Royter, Brett Tachi, Tia Tobergte, Brennan Walden, Logan Walden and Chloe Wenger.
“The Wenzel House” is currently being installed, and an unveiling event will occur on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. The mural was made possible through a Quality of Place Grant from the City of Covington and a partnership with Wenzel Whiskey.