The MURAL International Public Art Festival on Saint-Laurent Boulevard Unveils Its Programming

MONTREAL, May 14, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société de Développement du Boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL) and the LNDMRK agency unveiled the official programming for the first edition of the MURAL Festival of public art at a press conference today. The event will be held from June 13 to 16, 2013, on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal.

"The MURAL Festival will bring together over 35 local and international artists to exhibit their work over a 2 km stretch of street-turned-outdoor gallery," explained Glenn Castanheira, director general of the SDBSL, which is helping organize the event. "For the occasion, Saint-Laurent Boulevard will be closed between Sherbrooke Street and Mount Royal Avenue. This innovative initiative is a true celebration of creativity that will reaffirm The Main's position as a must-visit destination."

Nearly 20 unique murals will be created as part of the event, transforming the appearance of Saint- Laurent Boulevard for the next year. Besides the ongoing creation of these works, each evening will feature a special event where festival-goers can gather and continue to celebrate creativity together. The programming also includes a series of family-friendly activities, starting each afternoon of the event.

"A unique event in the north-east region, MURAL will assemble the world's most avant-garde visual artists and help to reinforce Montreal's status as a major centre for the arts in North America," noted André Bathalon, communications director for MURAL and a founding partner of the LNDMRK artistic agency, which created the festival.

The 2013 edition of MURAL will bring together internationally renowned artists such as Ricardo Cavolo (Spain), ROA (Belgium), Escif (Spain), Phlegm (England) and Pixel Pancho (Italy), along with numerous Montreal artists, including Omen, Jason Botkin, Labrona, Other, A'shop, Le Bonnard, Paria Crew, Skin Jackin, Garbage Beauty, En Masse and Stikki Peaches.

Finally, Saturday the 15th will be capped by the Oshee & Aga Block Party, a free outdoor concert featuring DJ Ryan Emsworth, Grandtheft, Prison Guard, KenLo Craqnuques and Jeanbart & RRKelly. The Block Party is presented in collaboration with Osheaga.

Full details of the programming are available on the MURAL Festival's website (http://muralfestival.com/).

LNDMRK is an artistic marketing agency that develops creative projects and solutions to promote clients' marketing initiatives that have significant artistic value.

Established in 2000, the mission of the Société de Développement du Boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL), which represents almost 600 Saint-Laurent Boulevard merchants, owners and tenants, is to foster the economic, cultural and social development of The Main between Sherbrooke Street and Mount Royal Avenue.

The MURAL festival is made possible through the financial participation of the Plateau Mont-Royal borough.

MURAL Festival spokespersons André Bathalon and Glenn Castanheira are available for interviews.

SOURCE: Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent

Dany St-Jean, press officer, Hansen Affaires Publiques, cell: 514-212-5457. Email: [email protected]