Mural Fest is splashing paint in a creative way onto drab concrete surfaces with stunning effect, as the Lloyd Ex Fair is underway in Lloydminster.
“The public can see the impact that just a little paint on a big cement block can go a really long way,” says local artist, Brandi Hofer.
Nearly 20 concrete dividers are being painted by the young and emerging art talent that includes youth from both school divisions among the talent at work in the green art space between the WLS Convention Centre and the Nissan Building.
The artists stop at 5:00 p.m. each evening, and the Lloyd Ex Fair keeps going until about 11:00 p.m., so fair-goers have been coming by and getting a close look at the artwork with kids climbing onto the jersey barriers for some fun.
“People want to interact. Climb on them, touch them, and sit on them. So, imagine this in park spaces, in front of businesses, and gathering place. It immediately gives a really positive feeling, and it actually activates a space,” says Hofer.
The creative says the festival started with jersey barrier murals being deployed at Home Hardware.
“Now its like this big, impactful, colourful thing that draws people in.”
Several of the pieces that are being created at the fair grounds are already spoken for including Weir’s Veterinary Clinic, Bud Miller Park, Windsor Plywood, Musgraves among other places, so be ready to take a tour around the city when the murals are installed.
“This will really create a lot of momentum going forward in our community on the power of artwork and how it can transform spaces in a really positive way,” says Hofer.
