Spanish street artist set to create six-storey mural in Old Strathcona
Six storeys of colourful, geometric shapes designed by a worldrenowned street artist will begin to shine over 83 Avenue this weekend.
Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel will work on the mural behind the restaurants El Cortez and Have Mercy from Saturday to Wednesday. The mural, costing around $100,000, was paid for by a fundraising campaign led by Edmonton restaurant owner and filmmaker Michael Maxxis.
San Miguel’s work is on display in India, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and many other countries. He most recently worked on a project in Toronto with four local artists painting a 23-storey mural near Ryerson University, which is set for completion next Thursday.
San Miguel believes all cities need public art because “it’s for everyone.” When passersby look at his Old Strathcona mural, he hopes they feel positivity and find personal meaning.
“We have too much branding and advertising every day,” he said. “Art is more cultural for everyone ... I want them to feel positive when they see it.”
Maxxis, who owns El Cortez and Have Mercy, believes Edmonton is ready for more street art. Fundraising for San Miguel’s mural required online channels, fundraiser dinners and auctions, and a publicity campaign — and the people paid.
“Spain is one of the leading countries for street art in the world,” Maxxis said. “That’s where (San Miguel) drew his inspiration from. I drew mine from Westmount — I want to change that.”
When Maxxis saw an early rendering of the mural, he immediately thought, “Yes.”
“It’s beautiful, it’s acceptable,” he said. “It’s colourful, it’s vibrant. What a great style for the home of the Pride parade and the Fringe.”
San Miguel said early sketches of the work featured a black rainbow lake, a woman with a dog face and a cat, although the final painting may look different.
MORE MURALS TO COME
Maxxis raised $120,000 for the project — more than the $100,000 needed.
The extra will be donated to the Rust Magic street art festival, which has added murals throughout the city since 2016.
The San Miguel mural is also the first step toward Maxxis’ larger goal to fill 83 Avenue with street art of world-renowned artists which he’ll continue next year.
It will have a fundraising goal of a half-million dollars, Maxxis said.
“The goal is this alley becomes a street art museum backdrop,” he said.
“String lights across it, pave it and let people set up shops up. Light this alley up with energy and culture.”