OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The second annual Black led/produced mural festival BLKOUT Walls, will reinvigorate the streets of Downtown and East Oakland. World-renowned, global, national and local multi-cultural artists will amplify BIPOC voices by painting over twenty, one-of-a-kind, murals.
BLKOUT Walls was conceived by Sydney G. James, Thomas “Detour” Evans, and Max Sansing. The highly-successful inaugural festival launched in Detroit, Michigan in August 2021 and brought 40 new murals to the North End community of Detroit. This festival was created as a direct response to the founders’ shared history of participating in inequitable mural festivals throughout the country. The trio set out to create an annual festival to offer diversity to the community and economic support to participating artists.
The festival will include breathtaking art installations, mural tours, youth programming, artist panel discussions, and a closing day Block Party. The mural festival advances the organizations mission to drive arts-based economic development by tapping into the creative economy of the community.
Guests will be invited to watch commissioned artists, Aerosoul Crew, All City Art Club, BAMP Crew, Corbrae Smith aka Hella Futures, Detour, Goya Goon, Jeremy Biggers, Joshua Mays, Kayla May, Max Sansing, Miah The Creator, Mohammed Awudu, Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith Wolfe-Pack, Ryan Grace, Ryan Adams, Sheefy McFly, Sydney G. James, Taj Francis, Timothy Be Art, Toonky/Bird Cap collaboration, and Zoe Boston create never-before-seen murals. These installations will be strategically placed throughout the community to magnify BIPOC stories, beautify underutilized spaces, and encourage tourism. “Oakland is perfect for BLKOUT Walls,” states Co-Founder Sydney G. James. “Much like Detroit, when a person visits Oakland, they experience a feeling of familiarity; similar to visiting your favorite Aunt's house or Grandma’s house where all of your cousins will be!”
Our returning fiduciary partner, the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) will support by developing youth programming. DAPCEP’s mission to prepare underrepresented youth for careers in STEM, as well as STEAM.
Vans will be a second-year corporate hero.
For Artist and Festival schedule, please visit blkoutwalls.com and follow us @blkoutwallsfest
