Deep Ellum, Once More a Work of Art

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Aug. 10 2009 at 9:45 AM

Categories: Arts

Hal Samples

This is but a sample of Hal Samples's photos taken Saturday afternoon and evening, as Frank Campagna and his band of artists were wrapping up the Deep Ellum Mural Project just a few weeks after kick-off. (The tunnel's gone; long live the tunnel!) Patrick M. is compiling the whole wingding for a forthcoming slide show, but here's a glimpse of Campagna, the proud papa for whom every Deep Ellum wall is a canvas in need of covering. (Say, is that Walker Texas Railey behind him?)

Update: The slide show is up.

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I love that the murals are by local artists of Deep Ellum. These are the people I go to see in exhibition after exhibition in Deep Ellum Galleries. It is the actual flavor of the area currently. As I drive by, I can name each artist recognized by their personal style. I love that it is all my friends works. YAY!
As much as I would like to sink my teeth into the juicy back-and-forth of this comment thread, I had to just skip down. Someone likes to be the center of attention, eh??? Well, maybe he wishes he had a chance to be part of something so cool and inspiring. Shoot, I did too! When I first heard about the tunnel being filled (while I was away at SAIC in Chicago) I was heart broken. I loved that our city was so culturally in tune with its artists. Then I came home to see that the poor Deep Ellum was now sans beautiful art murals, unique storefronts, and yes the gorgeous graf (which a lot of my friends took part in) was all missing! Its sad, but I have hope the the people who are involved will be able to renew the area and bring back what was once and in several generations a very special neighborhood. Save the new condos for the area north of the new Art Deck on Woodall Rogers Frwy. They will need it being city bound. My husband and I are glad to be part of the Deep Ellum Art Park Renovation - the next in a series of cultural revival for Deep Ellum. Please first understand the Grafitti is a pure form of art that has existed as long as humans could take a tool to scribe with. Second understand that Dallas has supreme potential in a lot of areas. There are hidden jewels waiting to be uncovered! Those with bad or false intentions need to get out of the way. Third I am hoping that the reputation of Dallas as pretentious or clicky is in the past. We are a new generation even if we are multigenerational and we all have voices... as well as A-holes. much love... of art! Cathryn
So, where is this mural project located exactly?
Okay people, I think we lost sight of the most important question here... how do we get the U.S.S. Enterprise back on the Forest Lane wall?
To all of You in Dallas, even Little Man Anonymously Offending... Just know that you are all so lucky to be in Dallas, here and now. I'm away for a minute, and couldn't miss it more. As I am blessed to travel around quite a bit, as an artist I seek out the creative hubs in different places because I'm an artist, that's where I'm comfortable. Dallas is like no other. The ability for a Community to unite through Selflessness, Love, and Vision, all while keeping the vanities that come with the arts at a minimum, is truly commendable. Dallas is a gem. Because of this it will soon be both a destination spot synonymous with the arts, while also being a key that will open doors for artists wanting to show outside of the city. Much like Austin is for music. Keep up the good work you crazy bunch of geniuses and keep up the arduous task of visualizing the cities dreams. Blessings to all of you...
Wow I just want to say how impressed I am with just about everyone for being so courteous to LMAO. He's obviously incapable of understanding what he is criticizing so I guess I won't say anything about how angry I was when I first read his comments. I'll just hope for better things for him in the future so that hopefully someday he'll be able to experience the joy that everyone else feels when they see the stunningly gorgeous murals that these incredibly talented artists have created. Btw LMAO, Alexandra Olivia is my real name, and I use it whenever I say anything because I stand behind what I say.
The story mentions that we are wrapping up the Deep Ellum Mural Project. That is not quite accurate. The Deep Ellum Mural Project is a long-term project to turn Deep Ellum into a world class mural neighborhood, much like the LA or Philadelphia mural neighborhoods, but even more concentrated and community grown. We are all proud of this phase of the project. Frank and the other artists have done an incredible job on a shoestring budget. Great sponsors like the Demeter Project and the Deep Ellum Foundation have stepped up to help fund the supplies and support the artists. The Art Park and many of the bridge pillars under the freeway are getting redone next. We are finalizing a collaboration to do more murals on the other side of the Good Latimer later this year. And we hope that we can launch a program later this year to begin turning every boarded window in Deep Ellum into a mural. Deep Ellum property owners like Jeanne Blanton are even starting to directly commission artists, and we are being approached by all kinds of other groups about getting involved and helping. The Deep Ellum Community Association has prepared a pdf presentation on the Mural Project, Just copy and paste this link into your browser and it will automatically download a 1.5 mb pdf. http://snipr.com/kxavv-bscc36 As for LMAO, come on down to Deep Ellum, see the murals for yourself. I'll even buy you lunch and tell you about what we are doing. I think you will change your mind.
You know, it's possible to have no dislike (much less "hate") for the artists personally, particularly Frank, who is a great guy (as demonstrated by his not-taking-the-bait response above), to not think that the murals should have been stopped or need to be removed or replaced with something mundane, but to simply have the opinion that a lot of them aren't very well done. I think the artists have done a good job of capturing the spirit of the old tunnel murals, but I thought those were pretty high-schoolish, too, although like a lot of people I associate them with great memories of DE from the 80s. Come on, if you put up a mix of art that's obviously trying to be wild and provocative, you should be expecting, maybe even hoping for, a wide range of responses, including strong negative reactions, not just a unanimous chorus of "it's all great!" What a boring world that would be... ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.
The Deep Ellum Mural project is a collaboration between artists and a community members. The results is art which rises from the community rather than being imposed upon it. Maybe it is time for the City of Dallas to recognize the Deep Ellum community and take a good look at their efforts to bring a community together. The City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs claims a commitment to the arts and through their mission the claim "to provide access to the diversity of art and of culture that really is Dallas"...BUT apparently The Deep Ellum Mural project does not fall within their defintion of art. Perhaps they should take a look at the LA art projects and see what a real impact local artisans, communities and a city government can do...AND really bring Dallas together!!!
Don't be a hater! I think it's great that the city and the Deep Ellum community care enough to make the effort to perk up Deep Ellum in the style that made the area great in the first place. To those who don't like it, they can go hang out uptown at West Village or Addison. Anybody who bashes us, (the artists), they should be down here painting something else if they don't like what we are painting. My hat's off to all of you who are busting their butts to spruce up Deep Ellum. It looks GREAT! Thank you one and all!
Well said, Robert. Now, let's celebrate a great addition to the future of art born and nourished in Dallas!
It's not as if a bunch of carnies blew through town one night and spray-painted a portal to hell off of Good Latimer. The City of Dallas publicly approved the project and issued guidelines, which were individually met by the artists. If you've confined your bitching and moaning to the comment section of this blog, you've got a pansy-ass way of demonstrating civic duty. I loved being able to walk along the mural with my kid, observing the progress, and talking with her about which one was her favorite (Amber's man-eating sharks) and which one was my favorite (Tyson Summers is the bomb dot com). I can't say I've had a reason to stop over there with her since Good moved, so that in itself is a step in the right direction, regardless of whether folks like the art or not.
Sorry Robert, my comments were over the line. I certainly don't want to cause comments to shut down here so i apologize to everyone.
Enough. There is only one person here with access to IPs, and I've done no such thing. All are welcome to comment here. Within reason. And I've about had it. LMAO, you have an issue with the murals, fine -- I think you've made your point and then some. JR, I do not know who you are, but you certainly do not speak for or work for the company. Your most recent comments slipped past the notification system -- unfortunate, as they would have been deleted. Someone asked me recently if we ever thought about shutting down comments after others made that move. I said no, absolutely not, not for a single second. I am reconsidering that position. Any further belligerence from either one of you gets axed.
What is this a kinder / gentler LMAO? There you go, intelligent opinion post made. Anything else?
This is not Observer turf fool. "Confidentiality and friendship at LA Weekly sometimes do cross paths and proxy's don't cut it dumb ass." Oh, i see. I'm sure the other commentors will be glad to know the observer and la weekly have no respect for their privacy. So tell me, since i'm behind a proxy and have cookies and scripts disabled, how did you find my ip? Just out of curiosity. "Sorry there, genius. I actually LIKE my city" I like it too, but i liked it better before people like you took it on the downward slide it's still on today.
"This is not Observer turf fool. Confidentiality and friendship at LA Weekly sometimes do cross paths and proxy's don't cut it dumb ass. Got ya and have a real good idea of how to play" I'm sure all the commentors here will be glad to know the observer and la weekly are checking on peoples ip's. So tell me, since i've disabled cookies, and turned off scripts, how do you have my ip? Just out of curiosity.
I drove by last Saturday, checked out the murals. Beautiful.
Maybe one of these days you people will realize that these idiotic murals are the equivalent of putting wallpaper over decaying, mildewed drywall. All you're doing is covering up the rot underneath. And since you didn't do anything to get rid of the rot before you covered it up, your precious neighborhood will continue to decay and your only response will be to demand more murals. And you wonder why Deep Ellum has been going downhill for years......
Sorry there, genius. I actually LIKE my city. :-) Seems the only thing you've done is make yourself look like a fool here. You are the vast minority, so take your grade school comments and leave this blog if you have any semblance of intelligence.
This is not Observer turf fool. Confidentiality and friendship at LA Weekly sometimes do cross paths and proxy's don't cut it dumb ass. Got ya and have a real good idea of how to play. Now since you brought it up, Ya want to go out? Despite you not swinging that way, response or not, you'll be lucky to get a shot in at all.
"Fact: Nailed LMAO's IP a few hours back. Not worth any ones time by getting frustrated or debating w/ him." Fact : Unless you work for the Observer, you shouldn't have the IP's of commentors. Fact : Not that it matters, i use a proxy "why don't you do us ALL a favor and MOVE?" You first.
So if a fuckwit reads the Dallas Observer, why are you wasting your precious time here going back and forth with usand trying to get your last word in? Don't you have a power-washing to do, little one? And if you think Dallas is such a shit-hole, why don't you do us ALL a favor and MOVE? Ah...that would be the sensible thing to do. :-)
Really? Really? What is the point of this ignorant hate LMAO? Did you even see the pictures of the gorgeous murals? Or rather have you even been to any of these artist's art shows? I have...and all of them are some of the most talented and kindest people in the Dallas Art movement that is happening right now. Frank has been here for all of it and is in the fore front leading the way. What do you have to gain by calling his and their hard work graffiti? What are you doing to help your community. Well your not supporting it this way thats for sure. Appreciate the fact that Dallas has art and music going for it....Alot of cities don't have anything like this. Get out there and experience it yourself. Or move if you don't like it. Cause it/we are not going anywhere but higher and better and more.
Fact: A community joined forces w/ artists who busted their ass in the summer heat creating work that may or may not be appreciated by all. Fact: this type of unification is rare anywhere and should be respected due to all who were involved. Fact: Nailed LMAO's IP a few hours back. Not worth any ones time by getting frustrated or debating w/ him.
"Any fool can see that this art comports with the skill-level of a professional illustrator or artist." And i find it hard to believe a softball over the plate like that wasn't intentional.
"P.P.S. Ten bucks says LMAO is from Fort Worth." I'll take that bet. "I'd bet that LMAO is a 5'6", 150lb white kid sitting at a Starbucks in Rowlett...and has never, ever spoken to anyone like that face-to-face..." Yeah, we all know how much the hipsters who go to Starbucks hate graffiti. Or are you just trying to find out what i look like before you ask me out? If so, i don't swing that way, sorry (nttawwt).
I'd bet that LMAO is a 5'6", 150lb white kid sitting at a Starbucks in Rowlett...and has never, ever spoken to anyone like that face-to-face...
very proud of the work the artists did! I love the old skins building mural on main/hall! Just moved from deep ellum, but once i return to dallas, i'm coming back home!
I think all the negative comments need to stop. You have alot of love, that is being showcased 4 a reason. Now if you are against it, why didn't you put ur share of creativity b4? I think it is great, and Dallas is only getting better! Keep doing your thing Dallas "artist" and don't let haterz get in your way!
I like graffiti, too, albeit not most gang tags. (Some of the more elaborate gang tags are even kinds cool, but only in an otherwise blighted location.) Any fool can see that this art comports with the skill-level of a professional illustrator or artist. Plus, it's pretty easy to avoid graffiti if you just stick to North Dallas. Might not find much to laugh your ass off about, though. P.S. Have you ever actually been to Detroit? P.P.S. Ten bucks says LMAO is from Fort Worth.
Why do some people like "graffiti" and some are so opposed to it? I like most street art. Murals on blank walls, show bills stapled to telephone poles and tags on passing freight trains too. Dallas has so many more reasons to be classified a shithole than the state of it's street art.
"does it have a bunch of shit splattered on the walls by unemployed assholes who wish it was still 1968? Because if it does, i am so there man!" Do some research before spouting ingnorant hate. Many of these artists are professionals who show their work at galleries all over town. And the "shit splattered on the walls" you refered to would most likely sell for thousands of dollars had they been put on a canvas. If you don't like what these people are doing for the cutlure and history of the neighborhood then stay out of Deep Ellum. Go to Uptown and buy a $10 cup of coffee and buy a handbag to put your ridiculous little dog in.
"LMAO- I think there is a Thomas Kinkade store in the mall up in Frisco. Please STFU and stop on your way home for a good painting." I live in Dallas, been here a lot longer than you have most likely which is why i can remember when this city wasn't a graffiti covered shithole. "Yep, I figured it was Toots." I'm not Toots, and the reason you don't like Toots is because he/she isn't afraid to take a stand on something. Something a squish like you will never understand.
Yep, I figured it was Toots.
Thanks Frank and crew. I can't wait to see it! LMAO- I think there is a Thomas Kinkade store in the mall up in Frisco. Please STFU and stop on your way home for a good painting.
"LMAO, leave the second-rate Toots imitations to Toots, ok?" Sure, baconbutt, as long as you'll leave the second rate Lakewooder imitation to Lakewooder. Speaking of, where is your fellow "i criticize both sides because i'm better than everyone else" cohort?
"Global indictment of an entire type of art in a condescending way is not." Yeah, pointing out that this type of crap is exactly why Dallas is becoming the new Detroit is "condescending", but taking the attitude of just ignoring the peons who tell the truth about your graffiti isn't. "And it might make for an entertaining afternoon should you drive down with your power washer. I think the medical term for what would ensue is "a cholonic"." Uh oh, better watch out, baconboy might not like your tone.
LMAO, leave the second-rate Toots imitations to Toots, ok?
Criticism of the artwork (correct me if I'm wrong, frank) would be welcomed. Global indictment of an entire type of art in a condescending way is not. And it might make for an entertaining afternoon should you drive down with your power washer. I think the medical term for what would ensue is "a cholonic".
Well baconboy, maybe we should all just kiss the asses of the fuckwits who read the Observer like you do. But hey, at least you got to do your predictable "look at me, i criticize both sides" schtick. Now pucker up, those asses aren't going to kiss themselves.
By being such an asshole, LMAO has served the useful function of allowing the cheerleaders to blow off all criticism of the artwork as mere naysaying.
Kudos to all the artists and those who had the vision to help promote and bring this project to fruition. Thankfully the detractors are only a very vocal, sad and bitter minority who always find fault. Just nod and smile and they'll tire and go away. They always have something new to whine about.
And who the hell is that guy with the beard supposed to be? Is it Billy Mays dressed up like Billy Jack? Terrible.
"Shame on those who have negative criticism" Shame on you for enabling the scum who are making this city look like shit. "Trash talkers...Let's see YOU do better." Ok, i'll take my power washer down there and get that crap off the walls. There you go, just improved it by about a million percent.
Thanks to everyone who put his or her hard work into this project. As we honor this 100 years of Dallas� History, I am so glad Frank Campagna, and the entire Team of these artist believe in our great city and in their art to devote hours and hours of this labor of love [and restoration]. I was at the unveiling on Saturday and it was moving. I was thrilled to be a very small part of the Project. Shame on those who have negative criticism � focus on your own neighborhoods and your own cultures to improve the City we call home. Focus too on the positive side of what is happening here as we all try to make the world a better place. I firmly believe this will become one of the most fascinating and enjoyable parts of the entire DART system � the DART Green Line just got better.
Thanks to the DO and especially to commenter Mark for extending this projects coverage. Myself and all the other PROFESSIONAL artists were relieved to finally wrap this thing up so we can get back to painting what we must for a living. This privately funded project was created out of passion for a neighborhood we all love that is currently on the rebound. I am sure all artists involved will soon see their work utilized as a backdrop for many other positive aspects soon to be revealed.
If any of you live down here, like I do, I can respect your opinion, even if I disagree with it. I love the art on the walls, it's a sign of revitalization in a neighborhood that truely needs it. The Deep Ellum we knew and loved is in danger of being leveled in favor of another West Village type complex. If you don't live down here, please find somewhere else to spew your nonsense. You don't walk by this every day, you don't see what a difference it makes. Do your research and find out how Deep Ellum came to be before you start criticizing the murals that people voluteer to create. The history of artistry in this area goes back to near the turn of the centery.
First it's the caves in Lascaux... Next the ceilings of chapels... Then carving up Mount Rushmore... And now perfectly bland walls at a train station. When will you artists realize that art is for cereal boxes and soda cans and not public places. Jeeze! Perhaps you should actually go and see what you're denouncing before condemning it. Definitions of mural: * a painting that is applied to a wall surface * of or relating to walls; "mural painting"
And maybe the jackasses that don't have appreciation of this style of art would be much happier if Kenny G played the clubs in Ellum instead of the diverse acts that have kept the area alive. I was heartbroken when the art in the tunnel was destroyed so I'm happy Frank and company have brought it back. As for the "amatuer" comment...I'd venture to say anyone that owns their own gallery and makes their living from creating art would qualify as professional.
Put up or shut up about all the hard working , willing and creative people trying to better the area!
My vote, big thumbs up to all the artists that busted their butts putting this up, great addition. Thanks alot to all, and to you Frank.
To people calling this "graffiti" and bashing on the artists... The folks who put this together are the heart and soul of the neighborhood. They have busted their asses day after day in the blazing heat for NO PAY simply because they love Deep Ellum and want to do their part to show that. Trash talkers...Let's see YOU do better.
Hey now. My 6-year-old's a BIG fan of the Forest Lane wall. Then again, it may be because I told him that when it was originally painted, back when I was but a wee lad, it featured the U.S.S. Enterprise. Only yesterday, as we drove past the wall, he asked if perhaps we could put the ship back in its rightful place.
So it's an updated version of the "high school wall" on Forest Lane? And we all know how well that has stood the test of time...
Yeah, just what a city covered in graffiti needs, more graffiti. When people are thinking about moving to a city, the first thing that comes to their mind is "does it have a bunch of shit splattered on the walls by unemployed assholes who wish it was still 1968? Because if it does, i am so there man!"
Nothing screams educated but untalented like lapsing into French as you dismiss the creative labors of your fellow citizens. If you want to see see "professional" public art, by all means head to your nearest Class-A office tower.
Nothing screams instant obsolescence like an amateur civic mural. Plus �change, plus c'est la m� chose.
"Walker Texas Railey"--hee!
Its amazing to finally see the art back in my neighborhood, made me even tear up a little bit..