Secret Walls x Houston

The Houston Downtown Management District is partnering with UP Art Studio to present Secret Walls x Houston. (Photo: Joshua Lavador) 

The Houston Downtown Management District is partnering with UP Art Studio to present Secret Walls x Houston. In Houston’s third installment of this popular global series, two teams representing 10 international, national and regional muralists will go head-to-head in a live art competition. The teams will consist of Chaz from London Police, Dread (Denver), Galo (Italy), Jake Merten (Chicago), JC Rivera (Chicago), Matt Gondek (Los Angeles), Mez Data (Austin), Studio FLOP (Brazil) and Houston artists Coler and w3r3on3.

Founded in London in 2006, Secret Walls is the world’s premier live illustration battle, having produced more than 1,000 shows across the globe. Armed with black markers and black acrylic paint, artists participating in Secret Walls x Houston will have 90 minutes to create murals on two walls, each 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide. In addition to the live art competition, spectators will enjoy a breakdancing battle, an art market, food trucks and live music from DJ BBC. Following the battle, judges and the audience will decide the evening’s winning team of artists. After the competition, UP Art Studio will repurpose the murals to be displayed at music and art festivals.