Mural artist Estria, who, with Prime, created the two great murals behind our Academy Art Center last year, has spearheaded the project #WaterWrites, an international series of 10 collaborative mural projects in 10 locations around the world—Los Angeles, Oakland, Honolulu, the Gaza Strip (!), Palawan, San Salvador, Windowrock (in Arizona, with members of the Hopi and Dine tribes), Bogotà and Arcata, CA. The theme of water connects the participating communities and documents the current local and international water crisis.
The Estria Foundation has partnered with nearly 30 youth and water organizations, and more than 60 artists divided into teams in each location. Through the process of painting murals with some of the communities most impacted by water rights issues, #WaterWrites assists ongoing grassroots struggles and creates a global platform to raise awareness in hopes of inspiring a movement.
In his hometown, Estria and 16 artists collaborated on Hawai‘i’s largest mural in Kalihi, on Kokea Street, along the stream facing Honolulu Community College. And it will be unveiled today 4 to 7pm at an event that includes a performance by Palani Vaughn and Halau Ali‘i ‘Ilima (featuring Vicki Holt Takamine), a Graffiti Blackbook Battle, and appearance by Gov. Abercrombie. Food vendors include Elena’s Filipino, Wahoo’s Tacos and Sweet Makena’s.
For more information on #WaterWrites, go to estria.org and 808urban.org.