North Oak Cliff Gets a Splash of Color

Artists will paint walls along Seventh Street

The work of teenage taggers on business walls in North Oak Cliff will soon be replaced with the work of professional artists.

“Everything around here is old, historic and beautiful,” said resident Amy Cowan. “Some of it hasn't been taken care of, and this brings a little more neighborhood pride to the area.”

While it's still a work in progress, 11 artists have been selected to paint murals on 11 business walls along Seventh Street.

“We wanted to make a family-friendly corridor connecting neighborhoods to the Bishop Arts District,” Cowan said.

For paint, labor and a minimal artist’s fee, the project is estimated to cost $25,000. To help raise the funding, artists will paint your name on one of the walls for $500 or your portrait for $2,500.

“We have some interest; two pledges of that amount ($2,500) so far,” Cowan said.

While Cowan wouldn’t say who is coughing up the cash for a super-sized portrait along Seventh Street, most of the paintings will reflect the character of the neighborhood.

“It will give Seventh Street and North Oak Cliff this great identity,” said Steve Cruz, artist and area gallery owner.

Cruz is among the artists who will lend his talent to the project.

“Because of the quality of the art, I hope it will attract people from all over Oak Cliff, all over Dallas, even all of Texas, for that matter.”

The paintings will start to go up over the next few weeks.

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