The Unexpected festival of murals is on its way back to Fort Smith and has just released an incredible lineup of world-renowned artists.  The festival will begin in Fayetteville on August 26th with a mural by artist Alexis Diaz.  All other murals will be done in Fort Smith from September 2-11 by artists Okuda San Miguel, Guido Van Helten, Jaz, Pastel, Faith 47, Bordalo II, Cyrcle and returning artists D*Face and Maser.  The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will host a celebration of the event at the Windgate Art & Design building on September 1, featuring the opening of Unexpected artist Maser’s “Argon” installation.  The installation is sponsored by the UAFS Foundation in partnership with The UAFS Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts.

In addition to the professional murals, the 2016 festival will feature a mural created by the UAFS art department and students, and a mural by faculty and students from Northside and Southside High Schools.

This year’s mural project is sponsored by: ArcBest, Arvest, BHC Insurance, Breeden Dodge, First National Bank, Fort Smith A&P, Ghan and Cooper Commercial Properties, Hanna Oil and Gas, Melanie Radcliff, CPA Inc., Mercy, OG&E, OK Foods, Penny Packard, Propak Corp, The Pruitt Family, Rheem, Slim Chickens, Sparks, UAFS Foundation in cooperation with the UAFS Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts and Zero Mountain.