International Arts Festival Returns To Worcester

From Pow Pow Worcester: POW! WOW! Worldwide has released the names of 33 artists who will participate in New England’s biggest mural festival this summer. POW! WOW! Worcester, a celebration of art and culture, takes place August 31 – September 9. The event is expected to draw more than 10,000 people.

What started as a modest mural project in 2016 has evolved into one of the biggest mural festivals in the region. Entering its third year producing immersive cultural experiences around a 10 day festival in Worcester, MA, POW! WOW! Worcester has curated 80 works of public art over the last two festival seasons. Large scale murals can be found peppered throughout the city on buildings ranging from iconic landmarks such as the Worcester Palladium and George’s Coney Island to residential developments, public schools, community centers and more.

Local and visiting artists from around the globe travel to Worcester, MA to paint for POW! WOW! Worcester as part of the POW! WOW! Worldwide network of festivals founded by Jasper Wong in 2011. Led by co-directors Jessica Walsh of Worcester Wares and Lisa Drexhage of the Worcester Business Development Corporation, the POW! WOW! Worcester local organizing committee is made up of over 25 members of the business and creative community in Worcester. Working with partners such as the Worcester Public Schools and the City of Worcester’s Department of Parks and Recreation, among others, the committee continually seeks out opportunities to activate underused and vacant spaces, engage youth, encourage dialogue and inspire change as a means of providing the residents of the region a sense of place and pride through public art.

“After completing 16 murals with a focus on walkability in downtown our first year, we set a more ambitious goal for the 2017 festival painting walls at one elementary school in each district throughout the city,” said Drexhage. “Far exceeding that goal, more than 40 murals were painted by over 50 artists in total, 17 of which cover the walls of Elm Park Community School,” she continued.

POW! WOW! Worcester now boasts the largest collection of murals in New England, putting the City of Worcester on the map as a destination for street art tastemakers and enthusiasts.

Returning August 31 to September 9, 2018, POW! WOW! Worcester will turn its attention to reimagining public spaces by featuring art installations while adding more than 20 murals to the growing portfolio. The weeklong occasion includes a host of events and experiences centered around music, fashion, sports culture and visual arts.

Representing 7 different countries and 6 artists from Massachusetts, the full roster of POW! WOW! Worcester artists include: Smoluk (Canada), Ben Johnston (Canada), Daniel Danger (Massachusetts), Max Sansing (Illinois), Erik Nassinyk (Massachusetts), Mary Murph (Rhode Island), Stikki Peaches (Canada), Dragon 76 (Japan), Woes (California), RAE BK (New York), Zest (France), Insane 51 (Greece), Lamour Supreme (New York), The London Police (Netherlands), OG Slick (California), Balloonski (California), TomBob (Massachusetts), Spear Torres (Puerto Rico), Michael Murphy (New York), Stickymonger (South Korea), Sarah Brueck Williams (Massachusetts), Adam Fu (New York), Sydney James (Michigan), Jesse Smith (Virginia), Scott Walker (New York), Jake Merten (California), WRDSMTH (California), Hank Von Hellion (Massachusetts), Stickipictures (Massachusetts), Stray Ones (New York), Kid Hazo (Pennsylvania), Chris RWK (New York). Massachusetts Native and POW! WOW! Worcester 2018 artist TomBob said, "The reason I love being a part of POW! WOW! Worcester is because it is the one destination in New England for street art and murals. Lisa, Jessica and the rest of the team bring vitality to Worcester beautifying the city for all to enjoy.”

“Public art has a profound effect on a community as proven by similar events hosted in major cities across the U.S.,” said Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. He continued, “With the success of POW! WOW! Worcester over the last two years, the city has become a vibrant cultural destination for artists and art enthusiasts alike. We look forward to seeing the success of this year’s festival.”

Wall and installation locations include but are not limited to the Worcester Common, Chandler Elementary School, Chandler Magnet, Elm Park Community School Basketball Court, Hanover Theatre, Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, Worcester Palladium, Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, YWCA, Worcester Arts Magnet School and Clark Street School.

For more information about POW! WOW! Worcester, the walls, artists and events taking place the week of the festival, visit www.powwowworcester.com and follow www.facebook.com/powwowworcester/ and on Twitter/Instagram @POWWOWWorcester.

Image via Shuttershock