A Spanish artist completes a six-story mural in Old Strathcona

Six floors of colorful geometric shapes designed by a world-renowned street artist will begin shining on 83 Avenue this weekend.

The Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel will work on the mural behind the restaurants El Cortez and Have Mercy from Saturday to Wednesday. The mural, at a cost of about $ 100,000, was funded by a fundraising campaign led by Michael Maxxis, owner and filmmaker of Edmonton.

The work of San Miguel is exhibited in India, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico. many other countries. He recently worked on a project in Toronto with four local artists painting a 23-story mural near Ryerson University, which is expected to be completed next Thursday.

San Miguel believes that all cities need public art because "it is for everyone. Pbaders-by look at his Old Strathcona mural, he hopes that they will feel positivity and find a personal meaning.

" We have too much branding and advertising every day," he said. "The 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 that Edmonton is ready for more street art. The fundraiser for the San Miguel mural required online channels, fundraising dinners and auctions, and an advertising campaign –

"Spain is the world's largest city. one of the leading countries of the world's street art. "It's there that (San Miguel) drew its inspiration. I've drawn 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 colorful, it' s vibrant, what a beautiful style for the Pride parade house and the Fringe."

San Miguel said that the first sketches of the artwork featured a black rainbow lake, a woman with a dog face and a cat.

More Wall Paintings to Come

Maxxis raised $ 120,000 for the project – more than the $ 100,000 required. The supplement will be donated to the street art festival Rust Magic, which has added murals throughout the city since 2016.

The fresco of San Miguel is also the first step towards the goal of Maxxis to fill the 83 Avenue renowned artists that it will continue next year. He will have a fundraising goal of half a million dollars, he said.

"The goal is that this alley becomes a background of street art museum," he said. "The garlands light up through it, pave it and allow people to set up shops.Turn this alley with energy and culture."

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