Odessa Arts has announced the date for the inaugural Mural Fest, which will take place next spring from May 12-13 in downtown Odessa.
The event will serve as a partnership between Odessa Arts, Downtown Odessa and Discover Odessa.
The announcement was made during a presentation Wednesday at Market Street.
Wednesday’s event was also the announcement of a continued partnership between United Supermarkets and Odessa Arts.
The festival will center on the creation of five new murals in the downtown footprint.
Attendees will be able to watch and participate in the creation of these artworks while enjoying outdoor art activities, performances and food trucks.
“We’re very excited to be able to bring a festival to downtown Odessa unlike something the Permian Basin has seen before,” Odessa Arts Executive Director Randy Ham said. “Usually when we have a festival or a big party, once it’s over, it’s gone. All you have to do is pick up trash and it’s like it never happened. With Mural Fest, we’re going to have five permanent murals in downtown Odessa and every time you see that, you’re going to remember the festival.”
Earlier this year, Odessa Arts launched its Mural Assistance Grant which helps businesses inside Odessa put art on their walls.
Since then, numerous murals have appeared outside of different businesses in town including Black Tulip and Floral Design on Grandview and the three-story-tall mural of a longhorn known as “Ferdinand” on the parking garage adjacent to the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
“One of the things that really amazes me since we’ve been doing murals over the last six months is how quickly they come together,” Ham said. “’Ferdinand’ on the three-story garage mural was done in two weeks. The postcard mural was done in three days. We’re thinking it’s not going to be any longer than a week for any of the muralists to do their work.”
Ham says they will be looking for five businesses for downtown Odessa for next year’s Mural Fest.
“We’re selecting five business that we will provide materials for the artists and the designs,” Ham said. “The businesses will agree to maintain the mural for 10 years.”
Those who are interested can go to Odessa Arts’ website at odessaarts.org
Currently, Odessa Arts is also looking for artists to paint the murals.
“We’re searching for artists right now,” Ham said. “We’re doing an open call for artists across the country. Anybody can apply. We’re going to look at numerous works, resumes and previous works and find out which muralist is the best fit for our community.”
Interested artists will need to send a resume, references as well as five images of previous works.
“It’s just like a job application,” Ham said. “We’ll narrow that down to a few finalists. We’ll interview the finalists and then we’ll select the artists for that.”
Mural Fest will also include the talents of local musicians, artists, dance groups and more.
The event will also feature local artist booths.
Wednesday’s presentation included details on Odessa Arts’ new quarterly magazine called “Beacon West.”
“When I was growing up here, I was the first to say that there’s nothing to do here but now I’m in a position with the staff at Odessa Arts and the help of the community, especially the help of United. The investment that United is making in the culture scene here in Odessa is amazing and I want to thank them so much for what they’ve done. It enables my staff and I to be able to give something to the community that I didn’t have growing up.”
The new magazine will be available at every United Supermarkets store (including Market Street) in Odessa as well as every ORMC clinic and Museum of the Southwest as well as nearly every hotel in town. It prints January, April, July and October.
United Supermarkets Regional Manager John Jameson talked about the partnership with Odessa Arts.
“I think it just shows that we’re in it for the long haul,” Jameson said. “We’re committed. What’s cool about this is that 10 or 15 years from now, you’re going to be driving in downtown Odessa and it’s going to look amazing. For us to be a big part of it, we’re super excited to be a part of it. It’s something that future generations will be able to enjoy.”
