Inaugural “Wall to Wall” Public Art Festival Calls for Bold Statements

You're reading Big Buzz  breaking news
​in the ​Shoofly Magazine

The Arts, Hancock County believes that art has the power to inspire social change. They seek artists with ideas, and businesses with blank exterior walls.
​

The extraordinary mural that adorns BSL's 100 Men Hall was painted by artists Wendo and BSL native JoLean.

The Arts, Hancock County is challenging local artists to make bold statements across Hancock County in a new “Wall to Wall” Public Art Festival on June 5-6, 2021. The weekend festival will include community mural painting, art, music and culture.
 
The festival brings together business owners, artists and community civic groups to paint murals on building façades in Old Town Bay St. Louis, the Depot District and other locations across Hancock County.
 

This Big Buzz 
is sponsored by

---

The center of the activity is 405 Blaize Avenue in the Depot District, the new community arts center and headquarters for The Arts, Hancock County. At that location, you'll find artist vending, demonstrations, hands-on activities and live music.

​It’s all possible thanks to a Community Impact Grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
 

BSL artist Marian Glaser recently completed a series of murals of black leaders in MLK Park.

​The event is being organized by The Arts Hancock County based on the belief that art has the power to inspire social change. Event organizer Ann Madden states, “We believe diversity will only make our community stronger and more vibrant. We encourage area artists to share the story of our community’s diversity and cultural uniqueness through public art.”
 

Small section of "The Promenade," a mural by John McDonald on the Hancock Bank building.

​ 
Call for mural locations
 
The organization is recruiting area businesses to provide their exterior walls as a blank canvas. If you would like to have a mural painted on your wall, the fee to register is $250. The Arts, Hancock County will work with you to select the winning design for your building and handle all of the logistics.
 
Call for artists
 
Mural designs are needed. Each artist may submit up to three designs for consideration. Selected muralists will receive an honoraria up to $500, and all materials will be provided. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
 
Selection of mural artists will be at the discretion of the jury committee and business owners. You will have two weeks to execute your mural, which must be completed during the Wall to Wall Festival June 5-6, 2021. Community groups will be available to assist you with painting if you'd like.
 
Artist registration and festival information is online at http://www.hancockarts.org/wall.
​