Residents Invited to Watch Creation of New Mural in Downtown Arlington
By Downtown Arlington Communications
Posted on November 30, 2020, November 30, 2020

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Downtown Arlington Management Corporation is partnering with sought-after artist Mariell Guzman to create a new mural in Downtown Arlington, an official State of Texas Cultural District. The mural, a reflection of the artist’s noteworthy colorful style, will be an interactive tribute to the many facets of Texas cowboy music and heritage.

A live pop-up watch party will be held from 2-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, just one day before the start of the National Finals Rodeo. From Dec. 3-12, the National Finals Rodeo will transform Arlington’s Globe Life Field, which is a little over a mile from the location of the new Guzman mural. The mural will be created on the south side of Arlington Music Hall, the oldest cultural institution in Downtown Arlington.

“There are so many exciting synergies intertwined in this project,” said Maggie Campbell, president and CEO of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. “Arlington Music Hall, formerly Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue, played a critical role in launching the careers of country music stars such as Kelly Clarkson, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Morris, Box Car Willie, Maren Morris, and many others. What better place for a mural that pays tribute to western music and heritage? We also hope that the timing of the project will catch the attention of Rodeo fans so more people discover all that Downtown Arlington has to offer. Finally, as a Mexican-American artist, Mariell brings a unique sensibility to the project not to mention her incredible talent.”

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Mariell Guzman is a North-Texas based mixed media painter, muralist, illustrator and installation artist. Mariell grew up in a family of innovators – her mother was an artist, both of her siblings are creatives, and her father is an engineer. Her Mexican heritage deeply influences her creative expression, particularly through her use of bold colors and diversity of artistic mediums.

“I vividly remember walking the streets of my small town’s plaza as a child during festivals and looking up and seeing the whole sky covered in a variety of brightly multicolored cut-paper decorations,” Guzman said in an interview with Voyage Dallas. “The visual was compelling and it made me realize that our world should always be abundant with color.”

As for the mural itself, the artist said, “I’ll be creating vibrant and interactive mural that will teleport the public to a classic Texas western landscape. You can expect some colorful and funky cacti, cowboy hats and the overall spirit of Downtown Arlington.”

Guzan will be painting the mural during the watch party, which is open to the media and the public. Artemis Funk will perform live at the event from 3-5 p.m, followed by Jacob Serrano from 5-7 p.m. Mellow Mushroom will provide pop-up patio seating for the watch party.

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