May 11, 2022
The Cliburn is thrilled to announce the commission of its first-ever mural. Through partnership with the SoMa Development and Near Southside Arts, the organization has selected Texas-based, internationally renowned artist DAAS to create a new work, “Chromesthesia,” at 113 S. Main St. The mural is a lasting gift to the city of Fort Worth and a celebration of both the Cliburn’s 60th Anniversary and the sixteenth edition of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, taking place June 2–18, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas USA.
MURAL UNVEILING & SUNDAY FUNDAY
Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
The public is invited to celebrate the new mural in this free event, the surprise conclusion of the organization’s Countdown to the Cliburn series of community concerts around North Texas.
DAAS and Cliburn President and CEO Jacques Marquis will make remarks and be available for comment afterwards. 2017 Cliburn Bronze Medalist Daniel Hsu will perform a short program. Guests are invited to stay for Sunday Funday, featuring a cash bar with margaritas, wine, and beer for sale from Tinies in the neighboring micropark.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Cliburn has a longstanding tradition of collaboration with outstanding visual artists. For the 2022 Competition, it commissioned this large-scale mural—a first in its 60-year history—in Fort Worth’s vibrant Near Southside, as a lasting gift to the supportive citizens of its hometown. Located at the corner of S. Main St. and Vickery Blvd. in the historic SoMa District that includes an active micropark, “Chromesthesia” will serve as a backdrop for concerts and other events in the years to come.
ABOUT DAAS
DAAS is a contemporary artist, internationally recognized for his vibrant, engaging paintings and murals. Based in Austin, Texas, DAAS’ mural work utilizes a combination of abstract and representational imagery, driven by a distinct color palette and design aesthetic which incorporates bold shapes and organic forms saturated in vivid colors, to create larger-than-life artworks focused on bringing a sense of beauty and inspiration into the surrounding space.
His artwork and murals can be seen around the world in countries such as: Japan, China, Portugal, Italy, Jordan, USA, Nepal, and the Dominican Republic. This is his first project in Fort Worth.
“I believe the purpose of public art is for the enjoyment of everyone and consider it to be an inherent responsibility of myself as a public artist to make a sincere effort in understanding the community and environment in which the artwork will reside; in order to reflect the values of the people who live there and will view the work on a daily basis. Through my artwork, I hope to inspire, encourage and most importantly, create something that will be beneficial to the wellbeing of the community.” – DAAS
ABOUT SOMA
SoMa Development is a collection of historic and industrial buildings that have been adapted to meet modern uses. Today they are home to a collection of the Near Southside’s most recognizable retailers and storefronts, including Morgan Mercantile, Tarantula Tiki Lounge, Panther City Tattoo, Southside Cellar, WED Bridal Boutique, Brix BBQ, Big Kat Burgers, and South Barbershop. Tinies Mexican Cuisine is located in the historic two-story restaurant that abuts the SoMa Development’s most recognizable feature, the South Main Micropark, a small privately owned community space offering picnic tables, a raised sandbox, artistic climbing structures, the iconic Art Tooth shipping container with its rotating art installations, and the Crunchy Girl Granola Airstream trailer. Owner Lori Powers Henderson is the great-great-granddaughter of W.A. Powers, who purchased the buildings in 1939, beginning the W.A. Powers Company and Package Conveyor Company. The properties have been in the Powers family for four generations.
ABOUT NEAR SOUTHSIDE, INC. + NEAR SOUTHSIDE ARTS
Near Southside Arts (NSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing community and cultural initiatives benefiting Fort Worth’s 1,400 acre Near Southside district since 1987. NSA is aligned in mission and governance with Near Southside, Inc. (NSI), a 501(c)(4) membership organization leading economic and community development initiatives since 1996. Both organizations share a 53-member board of directors, officers, and staff.
Near Southside, Inc.’s membership roster includes 400 dues-paying businesses and individuals, representing a cross-section of district stakeholders and community-minded leaders. The majority of member businesses are headquartered within the Near Southside district boundary, and the remaining members regularly work in the district, either on development projects or in partnership with district businesses. This membership roster has grown and diversified significantly in recent years, with major growth in the creative sector. All of the district’s economic anchor institutions and businesses are long-standing top-level members, including the six major healthcare campuses and other major corporations located within the district.