Spray paint, lifts and crowds will return to Downtown Jackson again later this summer for one last hurrah “It is heartwarming to see people from Jackson and beyond embrace the murals and events that surround them,” said Bright Walls Founder and Co-Director Clay McAndrews.
The Bright Walls Mural Festival is planning its fifth and final event from Sept. 8-11. Since 2018, the mural festival has brought in artists from around the world, Michigan and community to paint 41 murals. This year’s grand finale event will feature 21 artists painting murals in Downtown Jackson. “We will also have live music every night of our festival and events for the whole family to enjoy,” said Bright Walls Co-Director Jacque Austin. Running out of wall space is one reason Bright Walls is hanging up its paint brushes after 2022. “We also feel we have accomplished what we set out to do in creating a point of pride for Jackson residents and a destination for visitors to enjoy,” McAndrews said.
Organizers have collaborated closely with several community partners over the years, including the City of Jackson, to make the events a success. “The City has worked with us over the past five years to help with necessary planning and ensure some infrastructure is in place to create a safe and fun event,” Austin said. Bright Walls also worked with the City Council and Public Arts Commission to get approvals needed for the individual murals and festival. While this may be the last year, the festival creates a lasting legacy for Jackson. “200,000 people have visited our community because of the Bright Walls murals. This drives pride for residents. It also creates a thriving arts and culture epicenter in our downtown core, which in turn helps to bolster economic growth,” McAndrews said.
More information about this year’s artists, murals and events can be found on the Bright Walls website, brightwallsjackson.com.
The Bright Walls team
plans on caring for the murals so they can be enjoyed
for years to come.
“We are very humbled
and happy with the success
of Bright Walls,” Austin said.