Deep Ellum paints their town this summer

by Sarah Blaskovich

Photo credit: Flickr user deepellummedia

The murals will appear on buildings that showcase beautiful views of downtown in the background.

DEEP ELLUM — So despite the fact that people in Deep Ellum are getting ticked off because their cars are getting booted -- and even more ticked off that the neighborhood ain't what it used to be -- community leaders are trying to spice up life down there.

Those who head up the Deep Ellum Community Association hope more colorful topics, like the intricate murals that will soon be daubed on walls in the area, could bring a happier vibe than those ruthless booter guys.

The new murals will go across the street from the new DART station and along Good Latimer. Phase I -- that means painting, we believe -- of the Deep Ellum Mural Project will begin in July. And, the artists who will be involved are showcasing their work at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Kettle Art Gallery.

Here's more from the organizers:

Phase I of the 2009 Mural Project will feature murals along the Good Latimer/DART rail line in the very area that the Good Latimer Tunnel Murals are buried. Dart line passengers will exit the Deep Ellum rails and be welcomed with murals from Phase I artists: Luke Harnden, Cathey Miller, Sergio Garcia, Mark Nelson, Brian Crawford, Amber Campagna, Issac Brown, Issac Davies, Tyson Summers, Judith Lea Perkins and Frank Campagna.

"We will soon have some amazing photo ops of artists along Good Latimer -- across the street from the new DART station -- painting huge murals with downtown in the background. It is going to be incredible," says Sean Fitzgerald, president of the Deep Ellum Community Association.