4A ❚ WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 ❚ APPEAL TRIBUNE
Life in the Valley
DALLAS HAS 12 NEW
WING-THEMED ART MURALS
A wings mural titled "Sapphire Divine Wings" by a middle school student named Kendra, is pictured in Dallas. PHOTOS BY MICHAELA ROMÁN / STATESMAN JOURNAL
Abby Luschei
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
It's an Instagrammers dream.
Many of the walls in downtown Dal-
las have been newly-beautified thanks
to the addition of a dozen art murals.
The community "Wings" art mural
project, a collaboration between the City
of Dallas, Dallas Arts Association and
the Dallas Downtown Association, be-
gan the fall of 2018 with an art contest.
Oregon's motto, "She Flies With Her
Own Wings," inspired the project's
theme.
Local artists were able to submit their
wing-themed mural designs to the con-
test, which was divided into age-groups.
The winners, who were announced in
April, consisted of adults, elementary,
middle and high school kids.
Monica Johnson, president of the
downtown association, said getting peo-
ple of all ages and a variety of businesses
involved was important.
More than 75 submissions were re-
ceived, and painting began in June.
After the 12 designs were chosen, a lo-
cal muralist was brought in to hold work-
shops and mentor the artists on trans-
forming their pieces to a larger scale.
AJ Foscoli, the economic develop-
ment director for the City of Dallas, said
they hope adding art draws people to
Dallas, enhances the area and the qual-
ity of life.
Majority of the murals are located
throughout an approximate five-block
span of downtown. One mural is in Dal-
Artist Craig Downs works on a mural in downtown Dallas on Tuesday. The mural was made to be interacted with for this
year's Krazy Days parade.
las City Park.
People who post photos with the mu-
rals are encouraged to use the hashtag
A wings mural titled "Take Flight" by artist Megan Bliven is pictured in Dallas on
July 23, 2019. The murals can be found around downtown Dallas as part of this
years Krazy Days parade theme.
"#SeeDallasSoar" on social media.
Abby Luschei is the entertainment re-
porter for the Statesman Journal and
can be reached at aluschei@statesman-
journal.com or 503-399-6747.
A wings mural that stretches on two sides of a building titled "Alli & Kyl (QAoA)"
by a high school student named Athena is pictured in Dallas on July 23, 2019. The
murals can be found around downtown Dallas as part of this years Krazy Days
parade theme.