Chroma Zone Artists Exhibition
at vandalia tower 550 Vandalia St., St. Paul
On View: Thursday, September 23, 2021 – October 31, 2021
Public Opening Reception: Thursday, September 23, 2021 5p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Whistleblower” – Biafra, Inc. Image courtesy of the artist
“Folklore” – Kao Lee Thao Image courtesy of the artist
ST PAUL, MN—NewStudio Gallery, in partnership with the Creative Enterprise Zone of St. Paul and Baum Revision, is pleased to present the Chroma Zone Artists Exhibition at Vandalia Tower in St. Paul. The exhibition showcases vivid, culturally engaging work by Chroma Zone mural artists and alumni on the first level of Vandalia Tower, a former King Koil Mattress Factory under renovation by NewStudio Architecture (home of NewStudio Gallery). The exhibition features screenprints, paintings, clothing, and banners available for purchase.
The Chroma Zone Artists Exhibition opens Thursday, September 23, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The opening includes an artists’ reception and pop-up shop. The reception will be held indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) at Vandalia Tower. Face masks covering the nose and mouth, and social distancing, are required.
The inaugural Chroma Zone Mural Festival in September 2019 was the first and largest mural festival in Minnesota. Fifteen local, national, and international artists were commissioned to create 12 new murals on industrial buildings throughout the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ). The festival also included a variety of programs, artist talks, demonstrations, and community collaborations.
This year, the festival continues with 10 new murals throughout the CEZ and includes the Chroma Zone Artists Exhibition along with events from bike tours to artist talks. The exhibition provides visitors and collectors with the opportunity to meet the mural artists, and purchase artwork by the artists that transfers the vibrancy of their building-scale works to artworks suitable for homes and offices.
Chroma Zone mural artists and alumni participating in the exhibition include: Rock (“Cyfi”) Martinez, Kao Lee Thao, Biafra, Inc.,Witt Siasoco, Mike Davis (Burlesque), Katrina Knutson, Reggie LeFlore, and Martzia Thometz .
“As producers of the Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival, we are thrilled to showcase the many talents of our 2021 Chroma Zone muralists and alumni, and gather to celebrate a summer of mural making in the CEZ,” says Angela Casselton, executive director, CEZ.
The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of the CEZ’s funders, sponsors, community partners, and the CEZ businesses who #MakeItHere.
