BEAUMONT, Texas — The third annual Beaumont Mural Festival kicked off this Thursday. The four-day event featured about 40 artists, some local, others from across the state and even a few from other countries.
The artists showcased their painting skills using both oversized wooden cubes and the building walls themselves as their canvases.
"I painted a samurai cat. I just love cats and my ancestry is from Thailand, so I just wanted to honor the culture and I combined the two," artist Megan Pailin told 12News.
Although clouds hung heavy in the sky, the dreary backdrop did not stop families and artists from packing the grounds of the event center Sunday.
"I think the turnout has been great," festival co-founder Min Dai said.
However, in an event that had plenty to behold, the main attraction was easily the Gigilio Distributing Company warehouse.
"Without Giglio giving us that warehouse the festival wouldn't be here. Giglio is probably getting the most profound collection of murals gallery in Texas."
It is in fact getting a diverse collection of murals, from a collection of artists around the world.
Krystal Cooke from Michigan is one of the artists who's work is sharing the wall.
"I'm painting Mr. Giglio, he's the founder of this beverage distribution company and I'm doing the Miller High Life girl," Cooke said.
Right next to Cooke's painting is one from Sebas Velasco and Jose Velou, two natives of Spain who found their muse in a Beaumont resident.
"It was like a food place and he saw him from the window. He was like man this guy has attitude. Sometimes it's difficult to find people to pose in front of the camera," Velasco and Velou told 12News.
From a photo, Velasco drew a sketch to create his painting.
"At the end of the day it's a painting so I like the paint to be present," said Velasco.
Christina Lokey, Marketing Director for the Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau says that it's just one of many pieces that each tell a different story.
"We love it so much because these are real people and this art isn't just coming to life, it's a universal language that speaks to all of us," Lokey said.
The Mural Festival has truly shown the beauty that can be created when everyone comes together.
If you would like to show or donate your building wall for next year's mural fest email bmtmuralfest@gmail.com or visit the CVB website https://www.beaumontcvb.com/mural-festival/