Aug 142018
It’s summer which means new artwork is quickly approaching the walls of Sacramento! Widen Open Walls, whose mission is “to promote art and celebrate public art” has announced their lineup for the summer of 2018. The lineup is filled with 29 amazing local and international artists. The headliner for 2018 has a piece of art you might just recognize.
Shepard Fairey, whose iconic “Hope” poster became monumental part of former president Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign. With an image so well known around the world, Sacramento is excited to have his art on it’s walls.
Faiery will paint a large mural of Johnny Cash on Marriott’s 16th Street wall, facing the Folsom State Prison. The mural is a tribute to Cash’s iconic performance in 1968. He will paint the image below which includes pieces of history within the larger scale mural.
The lineup also includes local artists like Michele Murtaugh, Stan Padilla, and Jenn Poci, and many more. “In 2017, thousands of art enthusiasts visited the 44 walls during and after the festival, and Sobon says 2018 should be no different. “ The festival runs from August 9-19th at various locations.
Throughout the 11-day festival, there are self-guided walking or biking tours, small live concerts, pop-up art shows, and block parties around the area. For more information on whats happening and what artists are participating take a look at this article from Sactown Magazine and visit Wide Open Walls website.
Let’s paint the (SAC)town!
Aug 132018
Whether or not the name Shepard Fairey automatically conjures images of pop culture subversion, punk rock idolatry or street-art politics is irrelevant at this point. The 48-year-old artist is responsible for some of the most iconic imagery to have ever befouled the sacred real estate of public spaces in the last 28 years—from the salad days naïveté of an “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” guerilla stickering campaign throughout the Northeastern United States in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, to an uncommissioned but extremely powerful presidential campaign poster for then-candidate Barack Obama with the simple message of “Hope” emblazoned beneath his image later on, Fairey’s work has possessed the kind of omnipresence that few artists in history have achieved. His has been a life inspired first by reclaiming public spaces with his artwork (rather than continuing to be inundated by corporate advertising), then marveling in the stoking of conversations raised by the imagery he’s introduced—a “vocabulary of motifs,” as he puts it, that at once are recognizably his, but which afterward have become the centerpoint of international protests, provocation, even lawsuits.
That Fairey has been arrested some 18 times for distributing his artwork is perhaps the greatest indicator of its power, though he admits that he relishes the benefits of no longer having to be quite so anonymous, or quite so secretive.
“I enjoyed the freedom of anonymity when I started, but I also didn’t enjoy the poverty,” Fairey explained to Submerge. “Having the opportunity to make art without worrying whether or not I was gonna survive, that took 10 years for me to get to. Even though I loved walking around New York City putting up a poster, walking another 20 feet and being able to hear people discuss the poster that just went up without having any idea I did it and getting that eavesdrop, then there was the other part of my day where I was putting my last two bucks toward a burrito [laughs]. My spirit, in terms of speaking my mind and taking risks, is the same it’s always been.”
That spirit will be in full force during the Wide Open Walls muraling event taking place in Sacramento from Aug. 9–19, when Fairey headlines a stacked list of artists all doing their part to take back the streets. Fairey will be creating a giant mural of Johnny Cash on the L Street side of the Residence Inn by Marriott, with Cash’s gaze cast in the direction of Folsom Prison. Fairey talked about his contribution to Wide Open Walls and more with Submerge recently.
Read More here:
Aug 132018
Painting Her Truth • China Native LIN FEI FEI Gifts Holy Diver with Stunning Melancholic Mural for Wide Open Walls https://submergemag.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8953cd872f15c6deb2f8a1061&id=94ca99a077&e=f438b5db9b
“The theme of the mural involves the concept of humans becoming reborn... I want it to be positive and fierce. Something special for the building. The images will involve a kind of screaming war between figures.”
Click HERE to read more!
Aug 092018
By Mikaela Luke
Aug 10, 2017
Street art is big here, but it's huge in Sacramento—more than 600 murals have appeared to brighten the walls of California's capital city over the last 40 years. And starting today, artists from all over the world are flocking to Sactown for the Wide Open Walls festival to create a few large-scale pieces of art themselves.
Having debuted last year as the Sacramento Mural Festival, Wide Open Walls—now through August 20th—is a full-blown street art extravaganza with gallery openings, mural tours, artist panels, and parties—the Wall Ball, on August 19th, will cap the festival with live DJs, craft cocktails, and interactive art to benefit local arts education.
But the real reason to make the drive to Sacramento is to see no fewer than 40 artists live-painting before your eyes. Look for hearty representation from Sacramento artists, as well as talent from around the world, plus Bay Area native Jeremiah Kille. (Check the map for locations).
Headed that way? Keep an eye out for these 10 international artists.
Aug 072018
WIP for Trav-MSK – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
After offering last year a big line-up of international stars such as Adnate, Angelina Christina, AskewOne, Caratoes, HowNosm, Jorit Agoch, Okuda, Phlgem, Tavar (aka Above) and many more, Sacramento's Wide Open Walls Festival is once again, this year, focusing on Californian and local talent.
In a week, the second edition of the urban art festival Wide Open Walls (WOW for those in the know) will be held in Sacramento, California. The festival will once again welcome big names such as Shepard Fairey aka Obey, Herakut, Pixel Pancho and many more. But what distinguishes this festival is the fact that the event organizers focus on the artists made in USA, Californians and especially locals.
Out of the 42 invited artists, 31 are American, including 30 California based artists. (See the complete list at the end of this article).
At the local level, as last year, about twenty artists will be at the “rendez-vous”, some for a second time to paint a collaboration.
Kinetik Ideas. Sacramento / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
“We believe it’s important to maintain ongoing relationships with local artists from prior years. It provides an opportunity for local artists to continue to be part of the festival and all off its activities and press, help mentor the 2018 artists, and provide ongoing feedback to us from the Sacramento artists’ community.” - Anna Sobon - Executive Director, Wide Open Walls.
The logistic of the artistic collaboration was entrusted to the artist Raphael Del Gado.
Raphael Del Gado - Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
“The word SACRAMENTO will have it individual letters painted by several Wide Open walls alumni’s artists. I will be coordinating and working along side some of the most notable and talented artists in the city to create a unique and welcoming addition to the city. “- Raphael Del Gado
Picture ©Raphael Del Gado
The artist Molly Devlin is happy to make a comeback this year by taking part in this production, which promises to be interesting by its diversity.
“I was invited this year to work collectively with some painters involved last year. I'm going to be condensing my style into fitting the letter 'A.” - Molly Devlin
WIP – Molly Devlin – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
The WOW therefore offers to the people of the Californian capital and also its visitors to discover the talent and passion of its creators. Local artists represent the cultural richness of a region or city. It’s a specificity to each and it’s what differentiates them from each other.
John Horton – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
WIP – Maren Conrad – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
"Sacramento has amazing local artists and we will continue to showcase their talent. We believe it raises the profile of all of our local artists - whether a featured artist or not. “ - Anna Sobon
WIP – Brian Valenzuela – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
WIP – Brian Valenzuela (details) – Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
On the artists' side, the festival represents a great opportunity to play in the big league and to be introduced, not only to their fellow citizens but also to street art lovers from all over the world. Do not underestimate the power of social media ! The festival is a golden opportunity to rapidly flood the web with their name and their works.
" I was at WOW last year. It absolutely enhanced my career- Having a mural is like having a 24/7 social media backdrop. It's a stage for anyone and everyone with a camera and thumbs.” Micah Crandall-Bear.
Micah Crandall-Bear - Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
“My participation in the festival last year had an influence on my career. Some people they found me and contacted me through the WOW website or WOW list of artists.” – Jeremy Stanger
For Raphael Del Gado, last year's festival was a special moment filled with energy for the artists but also for the whole city.
" It was exciting to feel appreciated and cheered on while I was up on the scaffolding. Sacramento was truly a city wide live art performance of sorts and I felt it helped people connect with their local artists , their neighborhoods , and fellow neighbors.” – Raphael
Raphael Del Gado - Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
" I see it as a chance to introduce new art and ideas into the city of Sacramento, as well as highlighting the talent and creative voices that are grown here. It's exciting to meet other artists, it's also inspiring to see your peers push themselves creatively being a part of it.” - Molly Devlin
Few and Far (Diety Meme & Ursula Young) - Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
Wide Open Wide has therefore accepted the challenge of making their festival a unique platform to showcase the talent of known and emerging Californian and local artists.
The future shall tell us if the approach will pay off and succeed in propelling the city of Sacramento to the rank of cities to be visited by street-art lovers of the world.
Wide Open Walls 2017 / Photo ©Nickie Robinson
Wide Open Walls 2018 – Confirmed artists.
International (11)
BORDALO II (Portugal) , DAVID DE LA MANO (Espagne), GUIDO PALMADESSA (Argentine), HERAKUT (Allemagne), HUGO KRIEGEL (France), LIN FEI FEI (Chine), MATEUS BAILON (Brésil), MURONE (Espagne), PAOLA DELFIN (Mexique), PIXEL PANCHO (Italie), SHAMSIA HASSANI (Afghanistan).
National et Californian (11)
TOM BOB (New York City, NY) , APEXER (San Francisco, CA) , CAMILLE ROSE GARCIA (Los Angeles, CA) , CHARMAINE OLIVIA (Los Angeles, CA) , ILSE VALFRÉ (Los Angeles, CA), JOHN PUGH (Truckee, CA), KRISTIN FARR (Los Angeles, CA), RISK (Los Angeles, CA) , SCOTT FROSCHAUER (Los Angeles, CA), SHEPARD FAIREY aka OBEY (Los Angeles, CA), STAN PADILLA (Colfax, CA).
Local – Sacramento et suburbs (9)
AIZIK BROWN, BRENT PATTEN, ,GLOB, JAYA KING, JENN PONCI, LORD PAWN, MICHELE ANN MURTAUGH, PETER WILLIAMS, SONYA FE.
Alumni artist / returning from 2017 (11)
FEW AND FAR, JEREMY STANGER, JOHN HORTON, JOSE DI GREGORIO, KINETIK IDEAS, LOPAN AND ERNIE FRESH, MICAH CRANDALL-BEAR, MOLLY-DEVLIN, NORMAN AYLES, RAPHAEL DELGADO, SV-WILLIAMS.
Aug 072018
Media is invited to join political, local, educational and art leaders at our 2018 Wide Open Walls kickoff press conference scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Sacramento State.
In addition to scheduled speakers, artists will be working on the event’s first piece of art, titled “Sacramento Mural at Sac State,” creating individual pieces of art from each 15-foot-tall letter spelling the city’s name.
| WHAT |
WHEN |
|
WHERE |
|
Wide Open Walls
Kickoff Press Conference |
Thursday, August, 9
10:00 - 11:00 AM |
|
Shasta Hall
Sacramento State,
6000 J St. Sacramento, CA |
Blank Box
|
Parking:
Complimentary parking will be provided to confirmed media outlets in Lot 2A. Volunteers will be on hand to direct media traffic.
| Scheduled to speak: |
| • Doris Matsui, U.S. Congresswoman, California 6th District |
| • Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento Mayor |
| • Mike Testa, President and CEO, Visit Sacramento |
| • Robert S. Nelson, President, Sacramento State |
| • Sheree Meyer, Dean, College of Arts and Letters |
| • Raphael Delgado, Wide Open Walls Muralist |
Wide Open Walls is a 501(3)(c) whose mission is to promote and celebrate public art. Wide Open Walls brings underserved neighborhoods public art that encourages a sense of pride and identity; provides community gathering spaces; generates impactful, measurable economic growth for the Sacramento region; and promotes greater cultural understanding and appreciation among diverse groups. Now the largest mural festival in the country, the organization’s mission is personified through its annual festival in August that brings local, national and international artists together to transform Sacramento with original and stunning street art. Additionally, Wide Open Walls supports other events throughout the year, including The Mural Jam, Sac Republic's Paint The Park, and the upcoming Playa Art Trail.
NOTE : Please confirm via email by 5:00 pm Wednesday, August 8 to .