CRUSH WALLS Street Art Festival is getting ready for its 9th edition, Denver 2018

CRUSH WALLS, Denver’s foremost urban art festival that has for the last eight years brought significant large-scale mural and street art installations and thousands of art lovers to the streets of RiNo Art District, today announces its ambitious 9th edition, happening September 3rd to 9th 2018.

CRUSH WALLS Street Art Festival is getting ready for its 9th edition, Denver 2018

This year, CRUSH WALLS will stretch across 30 block of the standout open-air gallery that is RiNo Art District– a landmark increase from last year’s 10-block event, and for the first time reaching across the river to connect with RiNo West. The mural performances program will also include a host of interdisciplinary components; festival goers can expect urban sculpture, photography, film screenings, live artist battles, workshops, art talks, print launches and guided tours of the art appearing across RiNo.

CRUSH WALLS Street Art Festival is getting ready for its 9th edition, Denver 2018

As testament to the impression CRUSH WALLS has made on the world, the vibrant community of Colorado artists welcomes this year a roster of fellow artists such as globally-acclaimed pioneer Shepard Fairey, who will bring his iconic style to the walls of Larimer Street; the UK’s Nomad Clan, muralists pegged as being in the top-five women street artists in the world by The Guardian newspaper; Spain’s PichiAvo, who will create large-scale work on RiNo’s walls wielding their unique juxtaposition of Greek-sculpture-meets graffiti; and Canada’s Laurence Vallières, who will bring her poignant animal sculpture artwork made from recycled material to roam the streets of RiNo.

Shepard Fairey, Downtown Las Vegas Photo Credit JustKids

Nomad Clan, Cities of Hope, Manchester Photo © Henrik Haven

Pichiavo – Zeus – Upfest Street Art Festival, Bristol 2016

Other invited artists include Add Fuel from Portugal, Jaune from Belgium, Roadsworth from Canada,
Cryptik from the USA and Poni & Smithe from Mexico.

Add Fuel, ‘Comvida’ MURO Festival, Lisbon, Portugal 2016. Photo Credit Rui Gaiola

POW!WOW! Street Art Road Trip, Israel 2017. Photo Credit Jasper Wong.

Juane, The Crystal Ship, Urban Art Festival 2018. Photo Credit Henrik Haven

“To have some of the world’s biggest names in art along with major business figures in Denver contributing to the event is a testament to what CRUSH WALLS and Colorado artists have achieved: Denver has become an incubator for creative talent and the creative economy, and RiNo Art District is at the forefront of this effervescence.” Jamie Giellis, President RiNo Art District – Where Art is Made

Staying true to the CRUSH WALLS mission – Creative Rituals Under Social Harmony – many of Colorado’s street artists will bring their unique artistic flair and social insight to murals stretching from Broadway 1 continued (RiNo East) to 38th Street (RiNo West).

These include Thomas Evans, who has won plaudits for his portraiture augmented by ancient African culture and DNA testing; art/humanitarian pioneers Birdseed Collective, who are known for their pursuit of bettering Denver’s economy and artistic ambitions simultaneously; and Kirileigh Jones, whose powerful
Mandala and flora Mural art can already be found prominently across the city. Knomad Colab – a duo
winning critical acclaim for their space-transforming light installations appearing anywhere from mountain ranges to parking lots – will turn their attentions to the wall of Brighton Boulevard’s Visual Interest lighting company.

“Relaunching CRUSH WALLS has been a fantastic opportunity, and that’s down to the already-thriving art scene that’s grown here thanks to the determination of some of the country’s best street artists. As they’ve worked across their own increasingly ambitious projects within the district, it’s not only created a deeper sense of community and connection within RiNo, but has also highlighted Denver’s own unique potential.” Robin Munro, CRUSH WALLS Founder

CRUSH WALLS highlights include Opening Party, live mural creations, art installation, screening, exhibitions, art talks, street guided talks, workshops, print launches, art fair, outdoor stencil and chalk spray workshop, mini skateparks and secret walls.

“CRUSH has evolved into a huge social event that has not only resulted in Denver’s residents taking a strong local pride in the city’s streets, but has caught the eye of international artists joining this prolific creativity centre, and the reputation for investment in the arts that Colorado creatives have nurtured, evolved and championed for years.” Carlo De Luca, Executive director of the festival

Check back at a later date for all the action in Denver for CRUSHWALLS 2018!

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