Many South Floridians know or have heard about the infamous Wynwood Walls. The brightly colored outdoor gallery in Downtown Miami features huge murals by artists from around the globe. The area has become an international destination where tourists and locals alike are introduced to well-known and emerging artists who bring world-class art to the community.
The inspiration for urban street art may have started in Miami but has grown in many cities where talented artists use concrete as their canvas. Although Plantation is a beloved suburb of Ft. Lauderdale and doesn’t have any warehouse spaces that encompass grand masterpieces, residents will have the opportunity to appreciate the arts when Westfield Broward presents Westfield Walls: A Live and Immersive Art Experience.
Admission is free and open to the public on Saturdays, August 3rd and August 10th from noon until 4:00 pm, in the mall’s Center Court. The immersive art event will highlight a new breed of street art that will encourage the local community to discover and exercise their artistic excellence. Each weekend, attendees will get to experience local artists creating unique works of art in real-time.
On August 3rd, Artist Emmanuel Gonzales will be on-site to show how his body of art explores the past and present through realism and portraiture and includes a growing retrospective of American icons where each piece is presented as a fragment in a larger American patchwork.
The following week on August 10th, Artist RESQ77 will showcase his latest series, “Tropiculture”. The Broward County native focuses on South Florida as a tropical paradise with a goal of having observers respect and take care of the natural beauty around them. His style brings graffiti and design into a surreal perspective as he uses spray paint and fluid acrylic in his pieces.
Additionally, the interactive art experience will feature an urban street art lounge, live performances, art demonstrations, family-friendly art workshops, and audience giveaways. Complimentary activities for the entire family include face painting, spin art, a social media graffiti photobooth, retailer promotions and special offers, makeup stations, a raffle to win a $250 Westfield Broward gift card, and so much more.
“We strive to make Westfield Broward a community gathering place where people can come together and enjoy the day, and in the case of Westfield Walls, they get to learn about local artists and see them at work firsthand,” said Angel Cabrera, General Manager of Westfield Broward Mall. “It’s fun, energetic and gives a nice focus on the arts that bring people together.”