by Erin Rice

An icon of Dallas' outdoor artscape, Frank Campagna gets back to work with six paintings to grace the wall lining the House of Blues walkway entrance.

Since the closing of the Gypsy Tea Room, work hasn't been as steady for Dallas muralist Frank Campagna. What had been a regular stream of artistic dedications to the local and national music scene ran a bit dry. Until now, that is. The House of Blues has offered him a regular gig painting the concert announcements for upcoming shows, similar to the works that graced the brick of GTR back when. At noon on December 12, those works were unveiled to the public.

Fans of Frank Campagna's art will notice some differences between the GTR works and the new HOB stuff. The paintings are on canvas and were created in his studio, as opposed to being painted on brick at the venue. Another big change is that instead of using spray paint, he is back to using the paintbrush. "It's been 5 or 6 years since I've painted using a brush," admitted Campagna. He continued by saying that for some time he tried to get away from traditional methods of creating art, but was looking forward to using a brush again. As with any project he's a part of, he retains 100% artistic freedom to create as he wishes.

The first installment of concert announcements included Fair to Midland with The Feds and more, Joe Ely, Arc Angels, Bob Schneider with AM, Ghostland Observatory, and the House of Blues New Years show with Cross Canadian Ragweed, Wade Bowen, and Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights.

When it came time to unveil his work, Campagna addressed the small crowd gathered along the cold, misty walkway. "I've been doing this for 30 years. Another 20 and that will be a pretty good life." Another 20 years of Campagna contributing to our arts and music scenes, and it will be a pretty good Dallas, too.

To learn more about Frank Campagna, be sure to read his recent PegNews "Artist Spotlight" interview.

Photography by Laura S.