Before starting Street Wise Arts, Leah Brenner Clack was working with artists in the retail and gallery space. She noticed mural art blossoming in Denver but lagging behind in Boulder. “I started to dabble with rotating murals on the side of the retail businesses I was working for at the time,” said Clack. “It provided a chance to connect with the community and it was amazing to witness the reactions to the artwork. I decided to create something under my own direction, and I hosted the first Mural Festival in 2019. Beginning in 2020, Street Wise Arts as the nonprofit organization of today was born.”
The foundation for Street Wise Arts is uplifting underrepresented street artists, sharing their unique voices and providing transformational opportunities for their careers. Much of its work is also grounded in youth programming. “We work closely with schools and offer youth programs to provide arts education and street art workshops to students. A really big piece of our mission is sharing with youth the many opportunities of street art.”
Mural artwork is a powerful way to bridge art with activism in Boulder’s community. “Murals can provide a gentle way to have tough conversations about topics including race, gender and environmentalism,” said Clack. “There is also an equity component of mural artwork being accessible to all. It’s an inherently democratic art form that doesn’t require viewers to step into a retail space or museum. The medium makes stories very available for those that want to know about them, and there are so many ways people can experience murals.”
Street Wise Arts is hosting its sixth annual Mural Festival from Sept. 13 - 15. In the past, festivals have encompassed a broad theme of art and activism directed by artists themselves. This year, the focus is specifically on environmentalism and climate action. “We have 19 different mural locations that will be live painted throughout the weekend,” said Clack. “Additionally, there will be many different activations and events people can attend including art exhibitions, walking tours, biking tours, panel discussions, live music through Roots Music Project, an art market in collaboration with The SPARK and more.”
The Mural Festival receives part of its funding through Boulder Arts Commission Cultural Grants. If you are thinking about applying for a grant, Clack advises to lean into partnerships with others as often as possible. “There are so many great nonprofits doing so many projects. You can produce more robust and dynamic programming when you collaborate with other organizations in Boulder.”
To learn more about Street Wise Arts and to participate in this year’s Mural Festival events, visit their website StreetWiseArts.org and follow them on social media @streetwisearts.
Image Credit: Street Wise Arts