The Edmonton Mural Fest (EMF) media team recently had the pleasure of visiting renowned mural artist Dave Thomas in his studio. This visit was an opportunity to delve into Dave’s creative process and hear firsthand about his upcoming mural for the River Bend community—a project that’s generating a lot of excitement.
As Dave Thomas welcomed the team into his studio, the energy in the studio was palpable. Surrounded by vibrant sketches and concept art, he shared his thoughts about his art practice and his plans for the Riverbend Community League Mural. His fresh collection of work reflected a new direction for the Dave with bright colours and splashes of neon.
“I’m thrilled to be working with EMF this year,” Dave said, as he gestured to his preliminary designs. “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring my style of mural art to a community that deserves something special. The building I’m working on has had its fair share of vandalism, and I’m excited to transform it into a landmark that this community deserves.”
Dave has extensive experience painting murals across Canada and loves to experiment with new textures and forms. His unique style—an eclectic mix of bold colors, dynamic forms, and figures—promises to breathe new life into the River Bend Community League area.
Marcus Coldeway, co-curator and creative director of EMF, couldn’t be more pleased with Dave’s involvement in this year’s festival. “We’re thrilled to have a talent like Dave on board for 2024,” Marcus commented. “His experience and artistic vision are exactly what we look for in artists participating in the festival. We can’t wait to see the mural come to life.”
The River Bend Community League team is equally enthusiastic about the upcoming mural. “We’re really looking forward to the new splash of color Dave is bringing to our neighborhood,” a representative from the league shared. “It’s wonderful to see our community getting this kind of beautification. It is a significant positive addition to the area.”
The community league features skating rinks, a dog park, a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, and community space and hosts various community groups and camps year-round.
As the anticipation builds for the unveiling of Dave Thomas’s mural, we invite you to stay connected. Check out the artist’s page for more details about the mural’s location and to learn more about Dave’s work.
To learn more about EMF or see the 2024 artist's portfolios, click here: https://www.edmontonmuralfest.com/artists-2023.
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