WOW, INDEED. Behr DONATES OVER 850 GALLONS OF PAINT TO WIDE OPEN WALLS MURAL FESTIVAL
His name is Phlegm.
That’s not the name his mama gave him, but when Complex Magazine calls you “one of the most exciting street art muralists” of this time and space, you can call yourself whatever you want. And when the comic, old-world aesthetic of your paintings has adorned everything from an eight-story building to a fighter jet, your creativity never rests—even when it comes to your own name.
So it’s Phlegm The G is silent.
In mid-August, Phlegm and about 40 other artists —some with one-word names (Nosego , Caratoes) and others with more conventional names (Maren Conrad, Micah Crandall-Bear ): —converged in Sacramento, CA for the Wide Open Walls , (WOW) mural festival. The event web site says WOW “celebrates the relevancy and diversity of street art,” transforming walls and neighborhoods throughout Sacramento into large-scale works of art.
As a proud WOW partner, Behr donated over 850 gallons of paint for the gathered artists to use in their respective murals.
“Being part of this event brings a new perspective to our company,” says Doug Dow, art director for the Behr creative services team. “It reinforces the idea that while we’re obviously in business to support homeowners and professionals, we’re here to support communities, too.”
It may seem odd that a company renowned for manufacturing high-quality paints paints and stains would be involved with something like street art. But Behr is agile enough to know that when you give a gifted artist 20 gallons of paint and big, blank canvas, magic happens.
That awareness came into clear view in 2016 when Behr donated 200 hundred gallons for the Branded Arts RFK Mural Festival , designed to promote art in schools—particularly the RFK Community Schools, located at the site of the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The highlight of last year’s Branded Arts RFK Mural Festival was the completion of a three-story mural by renowned artist Shepard Fairey, which depicts the likeness of Robert F. Kennedy.
“Support from The Home Depot was an integral component of the stunning creativity displayed in Sacramento. We supplied over 180 different colors of paint but some of the artists had very precise color requirements they needed for their murals, and The Home Depot was there to support their every request,” Dow says. The Behr distribution team ensured success in both tinting and delivery services, providing the muralists their festival essentials-product and palettes.
A very special thanks to Doug and Kerry Dow for their efforts in bringing awareness to this event and organizing the paint donation that brought it to life. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to supporting the creative arts.
Colorfully yours,
Danny Evans
