CORRECTION: In the print version of this story the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority was mislabeled (Regional was omitted). Apologies for this error.
By Ron Evans
This August Wenatchee will be treated to a very unique event - the inaugural Columbia Street Mural Fest. The idear was thought up by Wenatchee artist Faith Merz. An increasingly busy muralist herself, Merz took some frustrations and doubts she was having about her place in the art community and spun them into a golden plan. One that has been met with a literal shit-ton of support. I chatted with Merz to find out more.
Where did the idea for putting on a mural fest come from?
Last summer, I was going through a pretty major transition with Lady Luck Studio (stained glass works). The three years prior to that I had been doing art markets, social media stuff, very heavy into that. And at the end of August, I felt so isolated. I felt so disconnected from my community, from other people, but I had this flourishing social media account — everyone knew me as Lady Luck. So I was kind of in that headspace when Kyle Vierck, who owns LEAF CrossFit gym, commissioned a mural from me. I had never done a mural, but he knew that I was creative just from talking with him when I was there to use the gym. I said…alright. I can do that.
That was the start of my interest in murals, on a deeper level. And seeing art connect with the public really got me thinking more about the community’s relationship with art. I was offered this space to fill with my art, I wanted to spread that idea. I started thinking of ways to fight out of this bubble I felt I had been living in. My pal Ali Hancock told me about the Bellingham Mural Fest — and I thought this town could really use something like that. I didn’t know how to go about it. But I had joined the Wenatchee Downtown Association and I started talking with Rosa (Pulido) and Eloise (Sheets) about it, they loved the idea and it was like…let’s fuckin’ make this happen!
That support must have been immediately encouraging.
For sure. I was thinking of it as a fundraiser. Let’s raise some money, write some grants, get some sponsors and put on a mural fest. The Downtown Association wanted more murals downtown and this felt like a great way to get people to get behind that.
How did you decide on the event being on Columbia Street?
Well…you walk around down in that whole area and it’s just like…a bunch of beige walls just begging to be more colorful and more impactful. And these are massive walls. Pybus is a thing, the Ave. is a thing…but all this space in the middle is just this sort of bare space — but then I learned about all of the development that’s planned for that area within the next few years. So it seemed like the perfect place to add some art.
The mural fest is set up as a contest — how will this work?
While I was brainstorming all of this I thought, “what if the Grand Prize was to paint one of those giant walls, or maybe just like a portion of it, and then every year, the new winner will get to add a new portion, and then it’ll be like a big community quilt.” So I reached out to the Port Authority, I got an email one day where she was like… “Hey, do you want to present to our board?”
So I put together a quick presentation. Which, mind you, I bought a blazer for this experience. I have never put presentations together. I’ve never done pitches like this, it’s all new to me, trial by fire, and I’m really good at it, apparently! So basically, I did that board meeting and just said, “Hey, you know, we really want to put some murals here.” I know there’s infrastructure. It’s going to be changing. So we came to the compromise of doing panels. So the final panel installation will be 12 feet by 16 feet. This will be toward the end of Yakima street.
I think panels are a great compromise for getting more murals on more walls. You can’t really tell the difference, but the fact that it COULD be moved later on is really appealing for businesses and building owners.
So what will the contest itself look like?
22 people applied! We have 8 finalists, 9 muralists in all – 2 will be working as a team. They will each be painting on a 8’x8’ MDF panel. And while they are painting we will have tons of other things going on. We will have a sidewalk chalk alley – featuring three of the applicants who were not finalists – a kid’s corner facilitated by CAFE Wenatchee, an interactive wall mural, a spray paint installation, a beading workshop with Amanda Northwind, Joanna Lavaun will be doing a large mural made of fabric. Unique photo ops, several interactive features, Manuka and Moon will be doing tattoos. We will have food, ice cream, live DJ sets and a beer garden.
That’s all?
No. There’s actually more, believe it or not! I want it to be like the old block parties they used to throw when I lived in LA. There will be a suggested donation of $5 at some of these stations if you’d like to get involved – of course this is all a fundraiser. I’m kind of overwhelmed. A little intimidated even. But I’ve had so much support. I just met with Suzy (Walker) and Josh (Thaut) who put on Night Market on The Ave. They were super helpful and encouraging. There’s just been so much support and excitement around this. And lots of people have stepped up to help or donate.
Yeah, it’s normal to be a little overwhelmed – it’s a big ass event. But this is already a success. That kind of buzz and support doesn’t just happen all the time. People want this. Who picks the winning mural?
Mostly the public. They will get to vote on their favorite. The Port Authority will also have a say of course, it’s their wall.
I suppose maybe it’s too soon to know for sure, but I have a feeling this will be the first of many mural fests to come.
Yeah, we wanna do it every year. That’s the dream.
EVENT TIME:
Saturday August 9th 10am-7pm | Music and food start at 12pm | Columbia Collective will be hosting at: 120 S Columbia St, Wenatchee | Street Access will be closed from Orondo Ave to Yakima St on Columbia St.
FOOD VENDORS:
Legend Ice Cream, Sammies And Hammies, Touch of Soul
SPONSORS:
City Of Wenatchee, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Rodda Paint, Sun Basin Theatres, Lowe’s, McGlinn’s, Craft Cannabis, Joanne Walker Fund, Blewitt Brewery
