DENVER WALLS Festival Will Feature Global and Local Muralists
Featured artists James Bullough, Kimchi Juice, and George F. Baker III have been announced as the first headliners for the Inaugural International Mural Festival hosted by DENVER WALLS and RiNo Arts District! Denver RiNo Arts District is a nonprofit grassroots organization that is devoted to curating a supportive and creative community where an array of artists, businesses, and residents flourish. DENVER WALLS is an up-and-coming international mural festival that is part of WORLD WIDE WALLS, a homegrown and independent art festival that is known as one of the best and most highly curated mural festivals in the world.
The 10-day festival will take place September 22 through October 3 and will include both globally and locally known muralists alongside exciting street art event programming, interactive artists panels, pop-up galleries and shows, a paint battle, and the DENVER WALLS street fair.
Charity Von Guinness, the executive director of RiNo Art District, says, “Denver’s inclusion in the WORLD WIDE WALLS series speaks volumes about our city’s growing prominence in the artistic landscape; working with the DENVER WALLS team to bring this world-renowned event series to RiNo has been a fantastic experience that we hope will further showcase the Art District as a diverse and thriving creative hub where artists, residents, and businesses flourish together.”
James Bullough is known for his life-like portraits accented with harsh graphic distortion and abstraction. Living and working in Berlin, Germany, “He is inspired by the gritty urban graffiti he saw as a youth growing up in Washington D.C., Bullough harnessed its energy and edge while teaching himself more traditional realistic oil painting techniques by studying the Old Master.”
Kimchi Juice (Julia Chon) is a Korean-American artist best known for her vibrant works featuring prominent Korean aesthetics and the portrayal of strong and powerful Asian women. She is a muralist and artist based in Washington, D.C. who “explores the relationship between cultural tradition and its effects on generational identity and the decisions Asian Americans make to form their identities.”
George F. Baker III is a Nebraska-born, Detroit-grown, and Atlanta-raised multidisciplinary creator utilizing “his instruments of design, illustration, and production, he employs a playful childlike spirit to engage the inner child we all have.” He has partnered with brands such as Adidas, Adult Swim, Atlanta United, ESPN, Georgia Power, Lululemon, Mercedes-Benz, Nike, NFL, ONE Musicfest, Patagonia, Topo Chico, and Verizon.
Ally Grimm (aka A.L. Grime), a local Denver-based artist spearheading the festival, states “We are thrilled to begin unveiling the artists we will be showcasing, along with the exciting events happening throughout the Art District during DENVER WALLS; We’ve curated an incredible range of programming and activities to immerse you in the culture and community of street art and allow you to explore its intersection with emerging technologies.”
For more information regarding DENVER WALLS, visit denverwalls.com, or give them a follow @DenverWallsFestival on social platforms. Don’t forget to mark your calendars because this is an event you don’t want to miss!
Photo courtesy of DENVER WALLS and Sean Billisitz
