FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS /
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR ARTISTS?
All interested artists must apply for the festival. All applications are then considered and organized by the ESAF organizing committee, and passed along to the Property Owners whose walls have been chosen for that year's festival. Property Owners then rate their favorite artists, and the organizing committee pairs Artists with Property Owners. During the Artist selection process, the committee works to curate a diverse selection of styles, artists, and media in order to create a visually appealing festival.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THE EXISTING MURALS?
Eureka has a long history of wonderful public art that this festival hopes to support and continue. Excess funds raised by the festival go towards the maintenance of existing murals in the city. Each year during the festival we aim to select one existing mural to revitalize, and we are beginning to plan for additional mural maintenance throughout the year.
WHAT ABOUT GRAFFITI?
The ESAF organizing committee regularly checks on the festival's previous murals to ensure they are still looking lovely. Unfortunately, graffiti is something that most cities have to deal with, but we have found that most people respect these pieces of public art, and it has been shown that instances of graffiti are lessened by the existence of murals.
CAN YOU PAINT A MURAL ON MY WALL?
If you own a building in the Old Town or Down Town area and are interested in participating in the festival, we encourage you to submit an interest form. Depending on the current year's area of focus we may not be able to use your wall right away, but we are always looking for more interested property owners!
WHO PAYS FOR THE FESTIVAL?
The festival is sponsored by a number of local residents and business owners, property owners who are receiving murals, local and state grants, and the City of Eureka. We are very grateful for all of the community support that helps make this festival possible! We are always seeking additional sponsors, and you can learn more here.
CAN I VEND AT THE BLOCK PARTY?
We invite lots of people to participate in the festival's culminating block party: musicians and performers, food vendors, and demonstrating artists. This is not, however, a craft fair. Demonstrating artists must be actively creating throughout the event, not simply selling their wares (although they are welcome to sell some items on the side in addition). Find out more about getting involved here.
HOW CAN I HELP?
We are always seeking volunteers to help us make the festival happen, and you can learn more about volunteering here. We are also always looking for sponsors, and you can learn more about becoming a sponsor here.
WILL THESE MURALS BE UP FOREVER?
The nature of street art is temporary and ever changing. The property owners agree to leave the murals up for 5 years, but some may be replaced before that, and others may stay up for longer. None of these pieces of art are permanent.