Dish-Houston

Art aficionados and enthusiasts, get ready for the most captivating art experience of the year. Come for the art and stay for the music on November 17 and 18 as the streets of downtown transform into a live street art museum made of chalk. Houston Via Colori® is the only street painting festival in Texas, benefiting The Center for Hearing and Speech (CHS). This annual fall fundraiser is expected to draw over 25,000 attendees and raise more than $400,000 to support programs for children with hearing loss.

This free, two-day event will take attendees on an interactive journey through art, culture and sound. Visitors can experience the street painting process up close as artists bring the asphalt to life. With more than 200 street painters, 16 live bands and plenty of family-friendly activities, people of all ages are sure to enjoy this event.

“It never ceases to amaze me how stunning it is to watch each mural takes shape. It is all made possible by the uncompromising support we receive from Houston,” said Renée S. Davis, executive director of The Center for Hearing and Speech. “Our artists, sponsors and, most importantly, our attendees make this festival a smash hit. We are proud that we can share this ‘museum on the pavement’ with the entire community.”

Every year Via Colori displays some of the top professional street painters in the nation as well as the exceptional talents of Houston-area artists.  This year Via Colori will showcase the largest public art piece in the city, with a block-long mural illustrating Houston’s skyline and iconic landmarks. Award-winning artist Douglas Rouse and his large team of local artists, graphic designers and students will work around the clock and observers can get a birds-eye view from a platform above.

“As a native Houstonian, I’m excited to see our city skyline turned into public art” said Lisa Benitez, event manager of Via Colori. “This has really become an iconic festival. Every Houstonian can be a part of be proud of Via Colori.” When the festival ends on Sunday, the murals are erased from the streets and only photos remain!

For more information on Via Colori, visit HoustonViaColori.com, follow the event on Twitter @Via_Colori, or visit the fan page on Facebook.