The Wet Paint Express premieres at the the Western Fair
Mural painted by artist Megan Oldhues, displayed in the Agriplex lobby at the Western Fair
Western Fair is working with The Wet Paint Initiative, a grass-roots initiative led by Risky Play Gallery. The project will bring together several world-class street artists; who will each paint both sides of an agricultural train (peanut wagons) showcased at the Western Fair.
The train will hopefully tour through other community events like this year’s Santa Clause parade after its premiere at the Western Fair before returning to Picard’s Farm, to be used for the peanut harvest.
The exhibit is located in the heart of the Western Fair’s Community Pavilion, where visitors are met with the unexpected sight of grand peanut wagons decorated with meaningful murals inspired by street art.
This year's Wet Paint Express - Peanut Wagon exhibit is a juxtaposition of urbanization that meets the rural spaces of Canadian agriculture- a connection that bridges and showcases the ever-evolving diversity in "small towns" like London, Ontario, that are no longer feeling small.
Well-known artists, such as Toronto's @HateCopy, up and coming artist Megan @Oldhues and London's very own @SoftFlirt, have left their mark on operating peanut wagons that will actively be used in the upcoming peanut harvest at Picard's Peanut Farm.
The Wet Paint initiative is a grassroots project aimed at creating greater creative meritocracy in the city of London, removing the stigma from street art mostly seen in junk yards and on railroad tracks, and supporting London's young talent to magnify a new era in the street art movement.
“The Wet Paint Express was designed to create a direct-line from London, to the global urban arts community,” said project curator Ken Galloway. “In doing so, we’re creating a new platform for art in the city, while inspiring emerging local talent to swing for the fences. We also wanted to lean into the agriculture inspirations that make London and the Western Fair so special.”
The Wet Paint Express's successful pursuit towards building a direct conversation focusing on the world of street art in rural spaces can be witnessed right here at this year's Western Fair. See artist @softflirt paint LIVE in the Agriplex foyer all ten days of the fair, adding to the expanding, traveling gallery of the agricultural peanut cart.
The Agriplex – Community Pavilion and other Fair buildings are open Monday to Friday 3pm-10pm and Saturday 11am-10pm & Sunday 11am-9pm, don't miss your chance to see art history in the making.
