Osceola Arts, in partnership with the City of Kissimmee, Experience Kissimmee and Sherwin-Williams, is excited to announce a brand new artistic endeavor, the inaugural ARTisNOW public murals project which began over the weekend on and features four Florida-based artists transforming the walls of four buildings along Broadway in historic downtown Kissimmee. This program is providing new ways of looking at the arts as a powerful force to inspire community dialogue, community development, and celebrate local culture. The buildings included this year are:
Hanson, Walter & Associates at 8 Broadway- Artist: German Lemus
Main Street Pizza at 16 Broadway- Artist: Christian Stanley
Broadway Plaza at 120 Broadway- Artist: Steven Teller
Kissimmee Main Street Station at 421 Broadway- Artist: Willie Soto
Positively Osceola stopped by one of the mural locations this morning to visit with German Lemus who is revitalizing the wall of Hanson, Walter & Associates at 8 Broadway, Downtown Kissimmee. The passion Lemus has for art is evident in his work. When asked what inspired him for this piece he told Positively Osceola that the mural is of the Florida burrowing owl which is one of Florida’s smallest owls and that it in real danger of becoming extinct. The Florida burrowing owl is classified as State Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Everyone at Osceola Arts and Public Arts has been very supportive. Kissimmee has changed dramatically which is great so this is a beautiful movement to see unfold.
Creativity belongs to everybody!
Before calling Orlando home, German Lemus was born in Honduras and lived in Miami and Clearwater. When arriving in the US he struggled with the English language but would soon find a way to figure it all out through Visual Arts programs in the inner city. Lemus solidifies his foundation to the arts from High School in Miami and gives credit of his work ethic from being enlisted in the Army. Comedic sketches of drill sergeants and superiors evolved into murals, paintings and t-shirt designs. Lemus has displayed in several local pop-up galleries throughout Florida as well as in fine art galleries such as City Arts Factory (Orlando, FL) and Artopia (Miami, FL). For more info please see www.glemus.wordpress.com.
Positively Osceola is excited to see all of the finished creations from these extremely talented artists and would like to thank them for taking the time to create such beautiful murals in Historic Downtown Kissimmee. Residents and visitors can view the artists in action as they continue to paint during the daytime hours through this Friday, May 18th. For more information visit OsceolaArts.org.
