POW! WOW! Mural Fest Comes to Worcester

From POW! WOW! Worcester:

POW! WOW! Worldwide has released the names of eighteen artists who will participate in the first ever major New England mural festival this summer. POW! WOW! Worcester, a celebration of art and culture, takes place August 26 – September 4 in downtown Worcester. The event is expected to draw more than 10,000 people in the week leading up to Labor Day.

The 10 day international arts festival will produce 10+ curated murals in downtown Worcester, MA painted by artists from around the world. In addition to live painting throughout, attendees, residents and visitors alike can expect to see mobile installations created through a youth art initiative with the Worcester Public School and the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, gallery shows at Nine Dot Gallery in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood and the Worcester PopUp in downtown Worcester, an “Entering Worcester” ARTraiser presented by Worcester Wares at the Sprinkler Factory to benefit Main Idea and more. Events will take place throughout the city with a centralized hub in downtown Worcester.

A town hall-style assembly will take place at Worcester’s newest downtown coffee shop, Brew on The Grid, Monday, August 22 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The general public is invited to come learn more about POW! WOW! Worcester, public art and ask questions. Elders from the Affiliated Tribes of New England Indians will give a blessing immediately after the town hall Q&A. Other signature events include a Festival Kickoff Fiesta at Mezcal Cantina at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26 and a Closing Party at Bull Mansion on Friday, September 2 at 8:00 p.m. – both with food & entertainment. Tickets are limited for each of these events may be purchases at www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-kickoff-fiesta-tickets-26823732506 and www.eventbrite.com/e/pow-wow-worcester-the-closing-party-tickets-27100986781 respectively.

There will be several other POW! WOW! Worcester experiences for spectators to participate in including a Block Party presented by Lock 50, also on Friday, September 3 from 3:00-7:00 p.m., featuring food trucks, a beer garden and live music as well as a Secret Walls live paint battle on August 27th. The location for the battle will be announced via social media. Follow POW! WOW! Worcester on Facebook at www.facebook.com/powwowworcester/ and on Twitter/Instagram @POWWOWWorcester.

Representing 8 different countries and 2 artists from Massachusetts, the full roster of POW! WOW! Worcester artists include: Arlin (Brazil), Askew (New Zealand), Christina Angelina (California), Dan Witz (New York), Greg Mike (Georgia), Imagine (Nepal), Jason Eatherly (Texas), JALLEN (Massachusetts), Marka 27 (Mexico), Morgan Blair (New York), Rustam QBic (Russia), Sabek (Spain), Sophy Tuttle (Massachusetts), Tavar Zawacki (Germany).

Marka 27, a POW! WOW! Worcester artist from Mexico said, "I'm looking forward to POW! WOW! and engaging the Worcester community. I hope that POW! WOW! Worcester inspires the rest of Massachusetts to allow more opportunities for public street art and I'm confident that this project will bring positive attention to Worcester and its community the same way it has for towns like Richmond, VA and Wynwood in Miami.”

A series of Artist Talks have been scheduled, including one with Tavar Zawacki on August 30th at Bull Mansion and another featuring Askew One on August 31st at the EcoTarium, Both talks will be held from6:00-8:00 p.m.

"I am very excited to be coming to Worcester as I've never been to New England before,” said Tavar Zawacki, a travelling artist hailing from Germany. He continued, “I look forward to hearing the funny accents and connecting with the local community. The 'I Love You' piece I will paint is something I've wanted to paint for a while now. This colorful statement I feel will be well received by the community and love birds alike. Who knows? Maybe someone will propose in front of the newly painted mural.”

Public art has a profound effect on a community as proven by similar events hosted in major cities across the U.S. The City of Worcester has become a vibrant hub of cultural celebrations over the years, hosting a variety of festivals and day¬long events to honor different communities. POW! WOW! Worcester seeks to continue that success and is thrilled to announce that 4 Worcester-based artists will also participate in the festival: Anthony Mancuso, Kai Griffiths, Pamela Stolz and Scott Boilard.

The wall locations that have been unveiled include the Worcester Palladium, Mechanics Hall, DCU Center, The Grid, Hanover Theatre, Federal Plaza Garage and the YWCA. All within the downtown Worcester footprint, these walls reinforce the mission to make Worcester a more walkable city. For more information about POW! WOW! Worcester, the walls, artists and events taking place the week of the festival, please visit www.powwowworcester.com

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