GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- The 2020 Packers Fence design is complete, and raised over $6,000 for the Packers Give Back Covid-19 Community Relief fund by selling commissioned portraits on the fence in exchange for tiered donations.
The coronavirus pandemic changed the 2020 sporting experience for both fans and athlete, and both artists were determined to include Cheeseheads in their design.
"We're just hoping that the Packer players especially, they see this, they know that the fans are here," artist Zane Statz said. "We're here for them, we're here to watch you, I mean there's more fans on this fence than there are players on this roster."
"For us as artists, we donate our time and come out here and show support to the community, and this year we decided to do something different where the fans could actually show their support to the community," artist Spencer Young said. "Obviously fans can't be here at Lambeau Field, so why not have the second best seat in the house which is right across from Lambeau Field?
Painting fences in honor of the green and gold has been a years-long tradition to honor the legendary football team that calls Green Bay home.
"It's a very rich tradition," Young said. "The idea was to paint something annually on it. It started with quotes, anything inspirational."
Anyone could purchase a portrait spot on the fence. Black and yellow commissions at the top cost $100, while more color cost $300, and the most detail cost $500. In total, these 70 portraits raised over $6,000 so far -- but the artists are in the process of setting up merchandise and prints to keep raising money to help the local community.
"I mean we are a community owned team, we are here for them, we're gonna continue to watch the packers," Statz said. "Go Pack Go, we're here, we're going to ride this out. Covid has taken a big hit in the area, I mean it's really sad to see the damage that it's done but this is not going to take us down."
