Dallas Army of Artists and Deep Ellum Banded Together 100 Murals To Promote Healing

Street art hunting is one of my favorite hobbies and I promise it is 1,000% better when sober. You can explore the city without getting lost or ending up on the wrong train going in the completely wrong direction. Instead of blurry half photos, you could actually end up with frame-worthy photos by some pretty famous aerosol artists. And, you actually get to do what you set out to do. You get to see fantastic murals without getting detoured by half-price wine or derailing yourself with ankle injuries from missed curbs- yes, multiple. I may or may not be drawing on personal experience (I am).

Street Art Hunting is always good but it’s better sober

Still an avid (now sober) street art lover, I couldn’t wait to check out the new murals from the Dallas Army of Artists. Of course, this incredible outdoor exhibit did not disappoint. The super-talented artists added over 100 new evocative works to an already rich Dallas city canvas and we’re better for it.  

Dallas Army of Artists 

These are just a few of the many artists who joined the Dallas Army of Artists to transform the plywood covering windows of Dallas into stunning works of art reflecting themes of hope, love, and the need for racial equality.  

The group was brilliantly inspired by artist, Izk Davies and seemed to come together instantly.  Local artists including several volunteers from Dallas Art Therapy and high school students from Booker T Washington started working on murals immediately following the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd.  The project was named Broken Windows – Painted Murals.

As contributing artist Melanie Hardy McVey so poignantly reminds us in her piece, the words of Martin Luther King, Jr ring true. now more than ever. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”  This army brought the light.

Broken Windows – Painted Murals brought hope

The artists and volunteers who donated their time, supplies, and talent provided a monumental service to the city of Dallas. There is much to be done in correcting racial inequalities. The collective spirit of these artists reminds us that there is a strong creative community in Dallas that will band together to help each other in any way possible. Their vibrant, positive murals provided hope in a time when it was so desperately needed. 

Where to check out the murals

Fortunately, many businesses have since reopened. The plywood art has been removed, preserved, and assembled for display in the Art Yard at Deep Ellum Art Co.   Deep Ellum 100 and The Deep Ellum Foundation and Dallas Art Therapy are working to create a virtual exhibit planned for September. The exhibit titled Beyond the Streets, curated by Amber Crimmings, is meant to raise the awareness of Black Lives Matter. It also celebrates the art created by those who contributed their work. You can help support Beyond the Streets by donating to The Deep Ellum 100.

Local photographer, Danny Hurley, conducted interviews with each of participating artists. You can see these on the Dallas Army of Artists Facebook page.  You can also check out Hurley’s collection of over 200 photos of the murals here.

While the circumstances surrounding the moments in history that inspired these works are painful, Broken Windows-Painted Murals brought me joy. Definitely add street art hunting to your list of the best sober things to do. Start in Deep Ellum in Dallas. The street art scene is on point and some of the murals from Broken Windows-Painted Murals are still up.

The Sober Curator Pro Tip

Pro Tip: Do this sober for a much better chance of remembering what you see. It’s worth it- for so many reasons! Click here for more on Urban Art in Dallas. Happy Hunting!

Help is here if and when you need it

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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