Block Party to revamp art park

By Stephanie Keller Hudiburg

Through a spray-paint-laden jam session, nearly 30 seasoned pro and up-and-coming artists will give the Deep Ellum Art Park a mystical makeover this month. The muralists will bring to life portraits of some of Dallas’ top musical talent of recent generations in time for the Deep Ellum Block Party on November 23. The new murals will stretch from Main Street to Canton Street along Good Latimer Expressway underneath highway I-345, at the gateway to the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood from downtown.

The art park rejuvenation project’s theme of “new growth” nods to Deep Ellum’s enduring creative ethos, phoenix-life ability to morph, and history as a launchpad for entrepreneurs and creatives of all stripes. Evocative plantlife, magical trees and florals will surround and uplift 25 featured musicians. Individual structures will highlight these local music legends as a means to honor and “give flowers” to modern musicians making an impact in the Deep Ellum Cultural District and City.

“For years it has been a dream of mine to see the entrances into Deep Ellum become magical and interactive gateways,” says artist Jerod “DTOX” Davies, the visionary and a curatorial lead behind the project. “This Musical Art Garden project begins that journey coming to life, and I cannot wait for Dallasites and visitors alike to discover, enjoy, learn and be impacted to the point of inspiration by this upgraded special area in our already world famous entertainment district of Deep Ellum.”

The Deep Ellum Art Park was last painted in 2009. The revitalization project will be completed in phases beginning the week of November 20th. So, art enthusiasts and music mavens should stay tuned into 2025 to see if their next favorite performer will be featured. The project is supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Deep Ellum Foundation and private funders as well as in-kind donors including Complete Landsculpture.

Deep Ellum Block Party attendees will have the rare opportunity to pick up a paint brush and jam with the artists on November 23. Visitors may triple-take seeing several musicians featured on streetlight poles and fresh murals in addition to stages across Deep Ellum including Big Tuck, Tim DeLaughter of Polyphonic Spree and Tripping Daisies, and Cameron McCloud of Cure for Paranoia. A few more of their favorite artists, as well as surprises, will be in store for fans as they wander Deep Ellum taking advantage of the shows, restaurant specials and live painting across the neighborhood that day. All are encouraged to join in the fun!

Deep Ellum Block Party

November 23

Elm Street Blocked Off 

All Day

Stage at the corner of Elm St. and Crowdus St.

Noon-7 p.m.

Family Zone

Local Bands

Classic Cars