Mural Festival to make more magic

The history of murals is traced back some 30,000 years ago when humans painted images on the walls of caves and other natural surfaces, making it one of the oldest forms of visual arts. The artwork incorporates the architecture of the building to bring out the painting and the building as one. Artists have since put modern spins on this ancient form of art throughout the world.

Last year, the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau made a statement as to what public art means to the city. The inaugural mural festival, a collaboration with business owner, Min Dai, and artist J Muzacz, brought in 16 artists from across the United States to enhance the mural scene downtown, making a significant impact in the community and a large presence on social media with over 1.6 million impressions.

The second annual Beaumont Mural Festival, scheduled for March 2-5, is ready to add to the collection and make it even bigger with an emphasis on the community.

“Murals and art are more than just an Instagram or photography fad; they’re a form of visual storytelling and an investment in the community,” said Christina Lokey, Marketing Director of the Beaumont CVB. “It makes a lasting impact for the city. Murals are intangible assets you can see seven days a week.”

Both local and visiting artists will paint the town with their talents to build on the art scene in the area. In addition to the art, there will be free festivities for the whole community from artisan pop-up galleries and free craft projects to live music, entertainment, food trucks, and vendors for a city-wide block party at the Jefferson Theatre (345 Fannin St.) on Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A total of 31 artists from around the country, including 17 from the area, will complete their works while “wowing” the community in just four days.

There will be pop-up art installations at the mural festival site that will include 10 cubes that are 8-foot by 8-foot, an 18-wheeler trailer, and a car donated by St. Arnold’s Art Car, which will all be painted throughout the event. Those who attend the event will also have opportunities to partake.

Artists participating include J Muzacz (Houston), Carlos Zulu (St. Petersburg, Florida), Carmen Rangel (Austin), Chris Rogers (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Dragon76 (New York), Drew Merritt (Los Angeles, California), Emily Ding (Houston), Laced & Found (New York, California), Liza Fishbone (Austin), Mila Sketch (Austin), Rex Hamilton (Austin), Malcolm Byers (Amarillo) and returning artists Candy Kuo, Caroline Truong, Dask One, Fabian Rey, FeeBee, FISH, Helena Martin, Kimme the Destroyer, Krystal Cooke, Paul Garson, Sloke One, Tarbox and W3R3ON3.

Local artists partaking along with mural locations are Maurice Abelman, who will paint a mural inside Tacos La Bamba as seven students from Lamar State College Port Arthur paint an outside mural; Dewon Moton (11th Street and Calder Avenue); Randal Sanders (Dayna Simmons Real Estate); Meghan Cobb (four-sided installation cube at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas); Albert Alexander (AMSET); Suzette Broussard (AMSET); Randall Ensley (AMSET); Tiffany Ready (AMSET); Eloisa Lopez (AMSET); and Vanessa Iglesias (Beaumont ISD).

In addition to the murals and other projects being worked on throughout the weekend, Beaumont ISD is participating in the festivities. Seven artists, both from last year and this year, will be attending local elementary schools including Amelia, Blanchette, Guess, Jones-Clark, Martin, Pietzsch-McArthur, and Regina-Howell for real-time art demonstrations for the students on Friday, March 3, and students will also be dismissed early to attend a “Mural Sneak Peek” and paint with the artists.

AMSET (500 Main St.) will host the sneak peek from 2-5 p.m. on March 3. The community is invited to attend to meet some of the artists, see live paintings, participate in hands-on activities from local organizations, receive free snow cones from Mabel’s and more.

“Beaumont is lucky to have a festival of such magnitude that leaves a lasting impact and tangible assets that the city can promote for years to come,” said Lokey. “One hundred percent of the Mural Festival is being funded by hotel occupancy tax dollars. No tax dollars have been spent on the festival. The intent is to draw visitation and bring in tourism dollars into Beaumont.”

For detailed information about Mural Festival, view beaumontcvb.com.

-Chad Cooper, Entertainment Editor