Street artist Young Jarus works on his piece for the 2021 Medicine Hat Mural Fest behind 616 Entertainment. He is back again this year to put another stamp on the city.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
MuralFest will be happening on July 9, in conjunction with Art in Motion and Artwalk, at The Mezz and Compass Business Centre. Two Toronto-based artists, Jarus and Bacon, are doing the murals. There will be one local artist at the Moose and Squirrel and two on site at the Esplanade.
Artist Jeff Goring stressed that MuralFest is incredibly grateful for the support and sponsorship it has received from local businesses. MuralFest has been going for about five years in Medicine Hat and has brought in artists from all over.
“We’ve been able to bring in some of the top artists in Canada,” said Goring. “And lots of the local artists have been given the opportunity to work on a large-scale wall. Much of it is changing a wall that would never stand out to make it look amazing.”
Each year MuralFest partners with a local charitable organization and this year it is MyCityCare in Medicine Hat, which provides food, clothing and basic necessities to families in need. As costs increase, so does need, and they have helped 1,600 families so far.
“It’s very cool to partner with something like that to bring awareness to it,” said Goring
Goring explained they don’t paint over raw brick unless it’s been vandalized.
“There are many walls that have been subject to crime or vandalism that we can change and make look incredible. It adds a new, colourful, cultural aspect to downtown.”
MuralFest brings in artists who are community minded and who will create something that will be stunning.
Before painting a wall, the building owner needs to be contacted and permission received. If permits are needed from the city, for blocking an alleyway or sidewalk, those are obtained beforehand. Before the artist arrives, the walls are prepped, making it as easy for the artist as possible, so when they arrive, they have nothing to worry about but creating.
One artist came in early and has already started painting at the Compass Business Centre, on the side of The Royal. Another artist is flying in Friday and will start painting that evening. A large-scale graffiti workshop will take place at the Esplanade back parking lot from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday.
A free showing of Style Wars will be on at the Esplanade at 6 p.m.
“In graffiti and street art culture, it is an iconic documentary series from 1983 on the New York subway system and what hip-hop culture was like back in the 1980s. It has influenced where graffiti is today,” said Goring.
