The West Bottoms got a World Cup spray paint makeover
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Three of the seven murals. Photo: Courtesy of SpraySeeMO
Seven new World Cup-themed murals went up across the West Bottoms this month, painted live by local and visiting artists as the tournament rolled into town.
Why it matters: Consider it one more grand welcome from a region working hard to charm its global guests.
Driving the news: Developer SomeraRoad teamed up with SpraySeeMO, a grassroots KC mural festival, for the project, painted June 5 and 6 during the West Bottoms' First Friday weekend.
- Visiting artists JEKS, Caratoes and Mr. B Baby joined KC painters Femme9, Phybr, Rif Raf Giraffe and CHUE, each taking on the tournament in their own style.
Zoom in: One of those murals, by KC artist Jason "Rif Raf Giraffe" Harrington, shows his signature giraffe playing soccer as Lionel Messi, painted days before the real Messi played his first World Cup match in KC.
Fun fact: Harrington has developed the giraffe character over more than 20 years.
Zoom out: The seven add to the citywide push for 100 murals before the World Cup, an effort that was about three-quarters done as of late spring.
- For SomeraRoad, the art spotlights its $500 million overhaul of the West Bottoms, turning historic buildings into apartments, offices, retail and a boutique hotel.
What they're saying: "We get to show off the talented artists Kansas City has to all the tourists coming for the World Cup," KC artist Jesse "CHUE" Hernandez said in a statement.
- "It's been quite a blessing for the artist community," said Michelle "Mr. B Baby" Guerrero.
💭 My thought bubble: Finally, a reason to visit the West Bottoms that doesn't end with me buying another thrifted lamp I have nowhere to put!
If you go: Several are near 1209 Union Ave., where CHUE's soccer mural sits about a half-block from a trio by the visiting artists.
- You can find the finished murals around the West Bottoms now, mapped by SpraySeeMO.