World's Largest Ball of Paint
- Admission
- Free (donations accepted)
- Hours
- By appointment only
- Duration
- 30-45 minutes
- Parking
- Free on-site parking
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible
This colorful sphere started in 1977 with a single baseball and now boasts over 42,000 layers of paint. Visitors can schedule an appointment to brush on their own layer and receive an official certificate. It is a wonderfully quirky monument to collaborative art.
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Started in 1977 by Michael Carmichael and his toddler son, this quirky project began with a single coat of blue paint on a baseball. Over the decades, thousands of visitors have added layers, transforming the ball into a massive multi-ton sphere hanging in a custom-built barn.
Visitors to this unique roadside destination can actually add their own layer of paint to the ever-growing artifact. The Carmichael family hosts guests by appointment, providing the paint, rollers, and even a commemorative certificate for your contribution.
Now weighing over two tons and consisting of tens of thousands of individual coats, the ball is a testament to communal art. Cutting into it would reveal a colorful, tree-ring-like history of half a century of travelers.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Call or message ahead to schedule an appointment, as the attraction is located on private residential property.
- ◆ Wear clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting a bit of stray paint on.
- ◆ Ask the hosts if you can choose a specific color to ensure your layer is unique.
- ◆ Don't forget to sign the guestbook and collect your official painting certificate.
Heads Up
- ◆ Be mindful that this is a private residence; please respect the owners' space, privacy, and posted hours.
- ◆ The barn can get warm in the peak of summer, so dress comfortably for the weather.
Common questions
Do you need to make an appointment to see the World's Largest Ball of Paint?
Yes, you must call ahead to schedule an appointment because the attraction is located in a building on private residential property.
Can visitors actually paint the ball?
Yes, visitors are allowed to paint a new layer onto the ball and will receive a certificate stating their name and the layer number they applied.
Is there a fee to visit or paint the ball?
There is no admission fee, but donations are highly encouraged to help cover the cost of paint and upkeep.