Street

October 29, 2019
by
Exile and Blu

Tag a friend and get ready for the 5th annual STREET at Westfield on Friday, November 1st from 5pm-11pm. The festival is free and all ages. Last year 5,000 attendees gathered to celebrate street art, music, food and fashion at the City of Palm Desert sponsored event. And this edition will be even bigger than ever. What sets Street apart from other festivals is its unique venue at the deck, the third level parking lot under the stars. The walls transform into an outdoor gallery and music space featuring a multitude of artists. In addition, guests can enjoy crafts, games and other cool things on site.

CONTEST: Post your STREET pictures at the festival for a chance to win $250 and have your photo featured on the screens during the event. Feel free to share as many as you would like for more chances to be seen on the big screen. Just follow @westfieldpd and #STREET2019SWEEPSTAKES to enter.

FOODIES: There will be plenty of options from Stuft Pizza Pop Up, Food Trucks, Craft Beer & Cocktails.

MUSIC: The lineup curated by Soundrite Events includes headliners by hip hop artists Choosey, Blu and Exile. In addition, local artists Giselle Woo and The Night Owls fresh off their EP release party, Desert Rhythm Project, Cakes and the A’s, Provoked & Willdabeast and more.

Giselle Woo and the Night Owls. Photo by Maniac Art & Photography

ART: Representing a wide range of talent from Coachella Valley and beyond. Curated by Flat Black Art Supplies & Gallery owner Pete Salcido. Coachella Magazine had a moment to interview Pete and discuss art murals, the evolution of STREET, teamwork and collaboration with Westfield.

“The biggest thing I want people to take from this is the community aspect. And especially the misconception of graffiti art and street art. This is something positive for everyone to enjoy.”

Artist Maxxer242 works on a mural in progress at Westfield, Palm Desert

Coachella Magazine: Hi Pete, how have you been? Congrats on Flat Black’s recent move to Westfield, Palm Desert. How was the grand opening and everything going so far?

Pete Salcido: What’s up Coachella Magazine, thanks for reaching out once again. The new shop is going great and growing day by day. We’re feeling the love from the community for sure.

CM: You’ve been involved with Westfield and Street for a while now. How did that collaboration begin?

PS: Yes, we’ve collaborated with Westfield for the STREET event for 4 years now. And each year we do our best to out do the last.
 It all started from a visit by Westfield to our first retail location in Palm Desert. Management walked in our shop and asked us to paint several huge flower pots in the first year. Once Flat Black was in the door, we stayed consistent and added more and more to the set up of the event. And it eventually led to me curating the art for the entire event.
Artist Jeff Sotto stands in front of a mural in progress at the rooftop of Westfield, Palm Desert

CM: How would you describe the working collaboration?

PS: The best way to describe my collaboration with Westfield is TEAM WORK. Because it truly takes team work to make this event happen. And this year I’m blessed to have friends involved with the production of the event. Shout out to Soundrite events, CV Food Truck and Keerohz Productions.

CM: How will it differ from previous years? And how has the festival evolved since you’ve been involved?

PS: The biggest difference our guests will see is the different art that went up recently that replaced last years art. We like to keep it fresh, offer a different look every year. This year in particular is really cool because we were able to bring out some really great artists to grace the walls. We also have some big instillations by Gino Elorie which I’m sure will be a huge success and will be an instant eye catcher from our guests.

Art mural by Mykerios

CM: What is the main thing you learned over the years curating art for Street and what do you enjoy most?

PS: One important thing that I’ve learned through the years is that when you do good things it attracts good things. And I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by really great artists that are willing to come out and sweat it out in the desert heat in order to display their art. We’re building relationships in the art community that I don’t see anywhere else in the desert. We’re not “clicky” we welcome everyone and I think that’s what’s made us different from anything else.
The best part about curating the event is watching artists from all skill levels come together and feed off each other’s energy.  And also walking around the venue on the day of the event and looking at all the people enjoy the art.
Art mural by Mi’randa Villanueva

CM: Who are some of the artists participating this year at Street?

PS: This year we have a great line up of artist that came out to grace the walls of the parking structure. MAXXER, JEFF SOTO, ZONE ONE, ALEK ONE, BLISSFULL NANA, ADOBE, ZARD ONE and much more. Along with some great local artist including the entire Flat Black Team.

CM: What goes into the creative process and selecting artists for this year’s edition?

PS: The selection of artist is simple, if you reach out to me and you feel ready to lay down the best piece of art you can do, then I’m down with that. There are walls that I personally reach out to artist to paint but for the most part, if you show Flat Black love we show love back.

CM: What can you tell us about the latest murals going up at Street and throughout the Westfield mall?

PS: The murals going up in the parking lot are for the street event and that’s a year round process. The murals going up around the mall’s walls are commissioned to us by Westfield Palm Desert. Which is part of why we decided to move our brick and mortar store to the mall. Westfield and I decided that it was equally beneficial to have our shop at the mall and make it our home base. Although we still work on a lot of projects with other cities and organizations, our work with Westfield is consistent and year round.

Art mural by Carlos Acevedo

CM: Anything else you can share with us about the 5th annual Street? What can we expect and what do you hope attendees to come away with?

PS: One thing that I am very exited about for this year’s STREET event is the music line up. Not only do we have some of my favorite hip hop artist performing Blu, Exile and Choosey. But we have some of my favorite music artist from the Coachella Valley. And they’re all performing in one event. Expect a lot more activities for the young ones to indulge, more food options and more drink options for the adults. The biggest thing I want people to take from this is the community aspect. And especially the misconception of graffiti art and street art. This is something positive for everyone to enjoy. Leave the saltiness at home.
Cakes and the A’s
THE DETAILS:

MUSIC: Live Bands and DJs

ART: Muraling, Spray Painting, Interactive Sculpture curated by Flat black Art Supply

  • Giant Skateboard and Sunglasses Sculptures
  • Piece by Piece Community Art Installation featuring 18″ puzzle canvases
  • Floating gallery walls
  • Art Alley entry ramp with new light-infused murals

FOOD: Stuft Pizza Pop Up, Food Trucks, Craft Beer & Cocktails

Bright VIP Lounge

WHAT: 5th Annual Street
WHEN: November 1st, from 5pm-11pm
TICKETS: Free and All Ages