Portrait of Erykah Badu
Location: Museum of Boulder
2205 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302
2023 Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival
Photos by Leah Brenner Clack, Dona Laurita, and Max Brager
Jasmine Holmes-Piesco painted this Portrait of Erykah Badu during the Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival in October.
The musician and songwriter serves as one of Jasmine’s biggest inspirations, someone who is always on rotation while creating in her studio. Erykah stares out at the viewer with her glowing hazel eyes. A red shawl wraps around her shoulders and a blue turban covers her head. Jasmine utilizes a distinctive color palette in her portraiture, using strokes of white, yellow, blue, orange, and red to bring dimension to the figure’s face.
Created over the course of a weekend, Jasmine used Polytab mural cloth to get a headstart on painting. Polytab is a fabric material similar to a mix of canvas and wallpaper. The artist painted Erykah’s face on the Polytab in the studio and then adhered it to the wood panel using matte polymer gel at the start of the event. She used acrylic and spray paint to finish the rest of the mural during the festival.
Head to the parking lot of the Museum of Boulder to take a closer look at Jasmine’s mural along with several others from our Fall Series!
“Puffy”
Location: Museum of Boulder
2205 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302
2023 Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival
Photos by Max Brager, Leah Brenner Clack, and Dona Laurita
Take a closer look at Marcus Murray’s “Puffy,” a mural he created during the Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival in October.
A futuristic character appears in a teal void. The Black man wears lavender headgear and spikey sonic headphones over his ears. His lavender eyes pop against his dark skin as they peer out from triangular sci-fi glasses. A puffy jacket overtakes the majority of the space, zipping over him like armor and protecting the character from the cold outside world. Yellow puffs of air surround him, adding to the fantastical imagery of the mural.
In his art practice, Marcus creates compelling Afrofuturistic characters that serve as beacons of hope and reminders of a Black future. Afrofuturism explores the Black experience through a combination of science, technology, history, and fantasy. It centers Black history and culture to examine the past, question the present, and conceptualize an optimistic, liberated future.
Marcus takes inspiration from many different Afrofuturistic works. His favorites include the music of Sun Ra and his Arkestra, “Kindred” and “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, and the Black Panther movies.
You will find Marcus’s mural on view in the parking lot of the Museum of Boulder!
“Florita Rosa”
Location: Museum of Boulder
2205 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302
2023 Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival
Photos by Max Brager, Leah Brenner Clack, and Dona Laurita
Selah Laurel created a three-dimensional mural during our Street Wise x Black Love Mural Battle at [placeholder] festival this fall. Her incredibly unique “Florita Rosa” combines painting and sculpture.
The artist creates a base for the three-dimensional elements of the work by painting the figure's face, neck, and shoulders on the canvas. The figure’s regal elongated neck stems from her slim shoulders. Her otherworldly blue skin dotted with clusters of freckles radiates from her body. Only the figure’s button nose and red pursed lips remain visible.
A bouquet of blues, yellows, purples, oranges, and pinks splashes across the canvas, replacing the figure’s hair and eyes. Selah fabricated each flower using foam sheets and tennis balls, spray painting each on-site to create a one-of-a-kind arrangement.
Rather than create a portrait of a specific person, Selah seeks to construct a mirror for viewers to envision themselves within her artwork. This mural is part of the artist’s “Florita” series inspired by a drawing she created for her young cousin. It serves as an expression of her multiracial family, speaking specifically to her Latina roots.
Head to the Museum of Boulder to view Selah's mural! You'll find it on the west side of the parking lot.
“Repollinators”
Location: Resource Central
6400 Arapahoe Rd Suite B Boulder, CO 80303
2023 Community Project in partnership with Resource Central
Photos by Peter Kowalchuk
Read the full interview with David about this project on our blog.
Resource Central’s efforts to divert building materials from landfills through an innovative recycling program inspired Garcia to imagine the effects that this waste would have on the environment if it wasn’t properly recycled. His mural depicts a slew of materials, everything and the kitchen sink - ovens, refrigerators, tires, electrical cables, garden hoses, windows, and doors. Intertwined with these materials are a selection of pollinators like bats and bees, carrying the waste like they carry pollen from flower to flower, plant to plant. Pollination is an essential part of plant reproduction, just as recycling is an essential part of maintaining a healthy natural environment.
Over the course of the project, Garcia ruminated over the prefix “re,” meaning again or repeat. Resource Central recycles and repurposes materials. Pollinators return to plants again and again during pollination, helping to preserve and restore habitats. Even Garcia’s mural participates in a recycling process, both giving and receiving energy from viewers as they engage with the work and reflecting his belief that art is a manifestation of energy. Repollinators illustrates these important processes.
The sculptor and painter was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He is a self-taught artist heavily influenced by his family and Mexican and Native American heritage. He aims to create representation for the Latinx community within the art world. In 2007, he completed his first public art project Huitzilopotchli, which was recently restored. Garcia developed his personal style of abstract imaginism, which combines the spontaneity of abstraction with the creativity and perceptions of his own imagination. His style is reflected in his use of vibrant colors and fantastical imagery.
Austin Zucchini-Fowler
“Green Harmony”
Fall 2022
A mural commissioned by Unico Properties, Pedestrian Shops and the Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives. The intention of this mural is to celebrate renewable energy and create an immersive art installation to revitalize this important pedestrian alley.
Zucchini-Fowler describes the two walls that make up the alleyway mural: “As you're walking on Pearl Street you will be invited into the alley by a Gaia figure [on the first wall] that represents ‘Going Green.’ She is painted in blue and green tones and is holding a turbine windmill. Instead of your typical turbines, they have been replaced with flower petals. I wanted to show the beauty of wind energy and its natural connection to the earth.
The second wall represents sustainable connections. Sustainable energy is all about harmony with the earth. On this wall, I wanted to convey that harmony with two hands coming together. On one side solar and earth energy is represented and on the other side, hydro water energy is represented. Behind the two hands coming together, I wanted to paint the essence of energy through color.”
The annual mural festival was organized by Street Wise Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to create mural projects and promote art education. Unico Properties was a proud sponsor of the 2022 festival.
Danielle SeeWalker “What Once Was”
JayCee Beyale “Portrait of Chief Niwot”
Brent Learned “Sand Creek Massacre”
George Curtis Levi “Arapahoe Family”
A series of four murals commissioned by Niwot property owners, Alex Chlebek and Biff Warren with support from the local Niwot Improvement District. The hope was that the murals would celebrate the history of Niwot as well as the natural landscapes, flora and fauna of the local area. Street Wise Arts presented four indigenous artists to create unique murals that spoke to the history of indigenous peoples of the area, including the Sand Creek Massacre, depictions of traditional life on the plains, an interpretive portrait of Chief Niwot.
2022
“The Worst Crew”
Fall 2022
Jaime Molina & Pedro Barrios created this mural commissioned by the Boulder Friends School to represent the values and mission of the school community including elements that reflect the soul of the school and students.
Boulder Housing Partners: Woodlands Community Room Interior Mural with Danielle DeRoberts (Onerary)
“Empowering Women Transforms Communities”.
About the Community
Woodlands is located at 2685 Mapleton in Central Boulder one block from the 28th Street corridor. This complex offers a unique opportunity for people who want to better themselves while living in a positive and supportive community. The 35-unit complex operates in partnership with Boulder County's Family Self-Sufficiency program. This community offers many advantages to residents, and residents' active participation is encouraged. There is a Head Start facility on the property that offers Toddler and Preschool classes. The residents are encouraged to actively participate in the community. Family Self-Sufficiency maintains offices on site. FSS has helped residents complete advanced job training, graduate from college and move on to become homeowners. Woodlands has so many single moms trying to better their lives and their families’
This mural was commissioned by Boulder Housing Partners for the Woodlands Community. Artist, Danielle DeRoberts (Onerary), created this interior mural with the intention to inform, as a messenger of emotion, to move into feeling of internal, transformative-- empowerment--- that already exists within-- the feminine nature-- as all you are is NOW - one transformation that continues within to without, without to within, as you shift, so do your surroundings, your communities, + everyone around you.
Design approach- to feel like a magic storybook -my sister and I were raised by a single mother, who’s strength and love outshined from within her Being, she truly embodied this feeling of empowerment. I used a backdrop inspired by a vintage shower curtain from the 1970’s-- that hung in our home my whole youth, up until my mother passed away in 2000.
This curtain became a symbol - an heirloom - I used to see it as the way through, almost like a portal-- with inspiration, magic and mystical energy and I still do. It has been with me this whole journey, as my mothers empowerment became empowerment within me. It is endless and transferred from her to me. Then from me to.
The girl is a symbol of essence - of Source- woven into the environment- who gives back + connects to a natural state of Being - the earth - community - herself- -YOU.
Offering a hand to share this transformation, as it has no limits + continues to expand as long as we tap into it. While letting go of who you were and rising into who you are now. When we empower and support each other as women— this becomes the ultimate way through to transforming communities- we transform together.
Kat Lam, Untitled
Hyland Mather, “Look Beyond”
Elizabeth Maher, “Exploring, Returning”
Lauren Napolitano, Untitled
Tony Zellaha, Untitled
Jennifer Chaparro, “Boulder Strong”
Koko Bayer, “Hope Hearts”
Danielle SeeWalker, “Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotaka (Sitting Bull)”
2019-2021
Partner: Boulder Housing Partners
30Pearl is located in Boulder Junction. It is a 160-acre redevelopment area that is being transformed into a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood with regional transit connections and public spaces that will benefit the entire community.
Boulder Housing Partners committed to integrating public art throughout the entire design of the 30 Pearl development - from the beginning. The results are inspiring and leading the way in modeling public art integrations for mixed-use community development. We are proud to partner with Boulder Housing Partners on this and many other projects.
Community Street Mural Project 2021
Partners: CDOT CanDo Challenge + City of Boulder Transportation and Mobility + Boulder Arts & Culture
Location: Boulder Meadows, North Boulder
A big component of this work was community engagement with the folks who live in Boulder Meadows. The hope was that the artwork would build community, provide recreation and safe social gathering for the community.
Thank you Anthony Garcia Sr. and thank you to all the community volunteers who helped install this mural with us to complete this mural in one and a half days!
“Harmony”
2020
Partners: Boulder Housing Partners Glen Willow Community
The design was inspired by the community of Glen Willow and created to bring strength and vibrancy to a newly renovated housing development that serves multi-generational and multi-racial residents located at 3rd and Pearl in Boulder, CO.
Location: Formally the old Liquor Mart on Canyon Blvd. now at NoBo Art District.
Artist: Danielle DeRoberts (Onerary)
In July 2020 a few Artists were commissioned by Downtown Bouder Partnership through Street Wise Arts to create murals at the old Liquor Mart on Canyon and 15th St. in Boulder.
The concept was to provide the community with uplifting, positive, united... in appreciation... inspiring, murals during the start of the pandemic of 2019.
Onerary's concept:
"Breaking it up... a purification-- A New Earth"
As we move into feeling —- collectively—- turning our awareness inward - through reflection┈┈+ contemplation┈breaking it up... to come together to form a new earth. We are all instruments for action in the world.
Mural for the NoBo Art District located at 4949 Broadway in the Emerald Warehouses. This mural was commissioned as a “Welcome Mural” for the north entrance into the NoBo Art District.
The mural is supported by the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts & Culture. The artist was selected through an open call and jury process, managed by Street Wise Arts in 2019.
Patrick Kane McGregor
“the Bubble” 2019
Partners: the Downtown Boulder Partnership
Temporary mural designed for pedestrian interaction and engagement.
2018
Project Partner: the City of Boulder Parks & Rec + Office of Arts & Culture
Boulder Creek Path under Arapahoe.
Photography by Ladd Forde. Video available on youtube.com/streetwisearts
“Wave Cloud”
2017
Partners: Arts Martin Acres
This mural was created in partnership with Arts Martin Acres, a grassroots neighborhood arts movement directed and driven by volunteers in the Martin Acres neighborhood in Boulder, CO.
Through a community engagement process and grant funding, we organized two muralists to paint on pathway tunnels that run through Martin Acres. The themes identified by the neighborhood were largely in appreciation of the natural beauty that Boulder has and the access that the pathways provide us.
Katherine Rutter was selected for her unique artistic style that incorporates the interplay of nature and animal imagery. Her mural stretched along 70 feet of the Bear Creek Pathway.
Katherine seeks to create ambiguous narratives that “explore notions of transformation, sexuality, beauty, femininity, and tender vulnerability." She uses subtle colors and gentle lines to encourage feelings of warmth and familiarity but juxtaposed against underlying tensions. Her influences include old children’s books, Japanese art (specifically Ukiyo-e and principles of wabi-sabi), Kiki Smith, Henry Darger, early scientific illustrations, and the writings of Annie Dillard and bell hooks.
This project was funded by the City of Boulder Neighborhood Project Grant.
David Polka
2017
Location: Bear Creek Path at Moorhead
Partners: Arts Martin Acres
This mural created by David Polka was commissioned by neighborhood initiative, Arts Martin Acres, and informed by a community engagement process. Appreciation of the land and environment were key elements to inform the design. Funded by a grant from the City of Boulder Neighborhood Enhancement Project.
The Worst Crew
2017
Location: 4th Street Boulder, CO
Partners: Private Residence commission
Goal: To transform the functional yet cold retaining wall along the driveway of a private residence
Partners: Conscience Bay Company
2016
Artists: Rather Severe, Portland, OR
Location: 929 Pearl Street
This mural was commissioned to bring life and movement to a closed off corridor created by neighboring property development.
Sam Parker
2016
Partners: Alfalfa’s Market
Sam drew inspiration from the fauna of Colorado in this brightly colored mural.
Sam Parker was born in 1975, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he spent his formative years learning to draw and paint. He moved to Atlanta Georgia in 1995 to pursue his career as a professional tattooist, a career that he has maintained to this current day. Sam finished his undergraduate degree in 2004 at Kennesaw State University with a BFA in drawing and painting
2016
This project was initiated by our organization in an effort to provide a canvas for an outstanding emerging artist and bring more vibrant art to the pathways of Boulder. This was Anna’s second mural of her art career. Anna is now a highly sought after and successful mural artist based in Denver, CO.
This project was funded and supported by the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation and the Office of Arts and Culture, in an effort to curb graffiti and vandalism which was prevalent at this site near 6th street on the Boulder Creek Path.
Charney is a painter and muralist of abstract pattern works. She received her BFA in painting/drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been living and working back in her hometown of Denver, Colorado since 2016. Her practice includes works on canvas, installation pieces, and indoor/outdoor murals on any scale (both in the private and public sector).
Charney’s optical paintings and murals are characterized by their expansive compositions, graphic dot patterning and dense detail. Through illusionistic deception, dynamic arrangements of detail and corresponding visual rhythms, Charney creates a sensational and immersive experience for the viewers of her paintings and installations. Using acrylic on canvas and aerosol on murals, she describes her illusionistic spaces and bending forms as “digital taffy”.
2016 “I Have a Dream”
The Kalmia neighborhood is part of the section 8 housing community run by Boulder Housing Partners. The community was renovated in 2016. It contains 49 apartments that is home to many families. We we're asked to help create a mural in the new community room that would be a central place for gathering, events, education and other activities.
We commissioned Artist, Anthony Garcia Sr. for the project. Garcia met with some of the neighborhood kids to find out more about what was inspiring for them and what they envisioned for the mural. Anthony took inspiration from the kids who were very excited about space and science and were optimistic about the future. This project was also partially funded by the I Have A Dream Foundation as well as our clients Boulder Housing Partners.
Anthony Garcia Sr. is the founder of Birdseed Collective, a Globeville native, acclaimed studio and street artist, father and community leader.
Jaime Molina & Pedro Barrios
2015
Partners: IMM
Location: Boulder, CO
mural commissioned by Mondo Robot
2016
Commission for the Mondo Robot offices.
5445 Conestoga Ct Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80301
Mando Marie
2015
Location: 13th & Pennsilvania on “the Hill” - north west corner
Partners: City of Boulder Office of Arts & Culture
Mando also painted a door in the new library maker space, BLDG61.
Hollis + Lana
2015
Partners: madelife
Commissioned in support of a solo exhibition by the Artists at madelife
