Visual Art

Bon Iver Mural Appears in the Heart of Eau Claire

Mike Paulus, photos by Eric Christenson |

The State Theatre, at the corner of S. Farwell Street and Wiscosnin Street in downtown Eau Claire.
The State Theatre, at the corner of S. Farwell Street and Eau Claire Street in downtown Eau Claire.

Appearing this week on the side on The State Theatre, right on South Farwell Street – running through the heart of downtown Eau Claire – you can see a large mural in progress. Eagled-eyed Bon Iver fans will probably recognize the artwork and symbols echoing images released by the band on social media over the last week (and in this teaser video).

What's more, a handful of related (number-based) murals have appeared in cities around the world, such as London, Brooklyn, and Minneapolis (see below), popping up on social media and picked up by music sites like Pitchfork and Stereogum – who believe this is proof of a new Bon Iver album to be announced on Friday night during Bon Iver's set of all-new music at the Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival.

Check out our interview about Eaux Claires 2016 with Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.

So far, the mural in Eau Claire seems to be bigger and more complex than the others, but its imagery and themes relate directly to those around the world. Or more likely, the ones around the world are all linking back to this one here at home. Pay attention out there. It's a safe bet more murals are on the way around the globe – or may already be out there undiscovered.

As of Wednesday morning, the most detailed parts of the Eau Claire mural were still in progress.

Will Bon Iver announce a new album on Friday, the band's first new album since 2011's Grammy-winning Bon Iver, Bon Iver? Well, you can do the math on that one. We'll tell you what we can on Friday.

Check out the other Bon Iver murals 

Mural in Greenpoint, Brooklyn via Reddit
Mural in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (via Reddit)
Mural in Uptown Minneapolis (via Nicholas Dahl)
Mural in Uptown Minneapolis (via Nicholas Dahl)
Mural in London (via Karen Millar)
Mural in London (via Karen Millar)

Bon Iver teaser video