Elizabeth Orosco
Northeast News

The Northeast Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a National Mural Day celebration to kick off the 2019 Summer of Murals and recognize previous mural artists who have contributed art to the community.

The event will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Mayfair Cleaners parking lot at 2807 Independence Boulevard.

National Mural Day festivities will include showing the #HNEMurals video, which highlights all the murals in the Historic Northeast, a call for this year’s mural artists, and the recognition of previous artists and the work they created in the community.

“Three Strong Women” by Zachary Laman is located on the west wall of 2659 Independence Boulevard, “Immigration” by Hector Casanova and Isaac Tapia Montano is located on the east wall of 2627 Independence Boulevard, and “In it Together,” by Meredith Lucius and Jack Mied is located on the west wall of 2807 Independence Boulevard, which is the location for this year’s celebration.

This year’s mural theme is “Independence Avenue: Past, Present, and Future.” Local artists who apply to be one of this year’s muralists will be given a 2-foot by 4-foot art board to sketch their representation of this theme.

The completed art boards will be displayed at this year’s Chalk Walk where community will have a chance to vote on which murals best depict the theme before final artists are selected.

Alejandro David Tamez, PhD student at The Hall Center of Applied Humanities Fellowship and the 2019 summer intern at the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, will be working with and engaging the community to choose which mural designs best represent the community.

The Historic Northeast contains 25 murals that adorn the sides of local businesses, schools, soccer fields, libraries, gardens, and more.

Bobbi Baker-Hughes, CEO for the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, said the introduction of murals into a community has positive economic impact.

“Murals, in general and throughout the world, are good for economic development in communities,” she said. “It builds and sparks development. It helps draw attention to buildings and businesses. It might slow people down enough to stop in and shop.”

The Northeast Chamber of Commerce held the first mural tour in Kansas City that stretched from 18th and Vine to Hardesty and St. John This event, she said, helps to kindle development.

“It brought people to this community, including real estate investors and developers, to check out the community and that’s what starts to spark development,” said Baker-Hughes.

The addition of murals in a community, she added, create a safe space for residents.

“It’s place making. It creates a safe space because it’s a beautification technique and often, if you are someplace beautiful, you feel safer.”

The mural project will culminate with this year’s Taste and Tour trolley ride, as residents visit a variety of restaurants along the International Marketplace.

Artists interested in applying for the mural project can pick up an art board on May 7 at the celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. or at the Chamber of Commerce from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday before Friday, May 10. The entry deadline for all artists is May 17.

The art boards will be displayed at various community events including Chalk Walk, Coffee on the Corridor, the Chamber Luncheon, and the Lykins Housing Committee.

The reveal of the three chosen art boards will be June 7 during an after hours event at the EGG Business Gallery from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Questions regarding this event or entry requirements can be sent to events.director@nekcchamber.com.