Arts & Culture Development Grant Funds Mural Downtown Bryan

A vibrant new mural is taking shape in Downtown Bryan, marking an exciting milestone for the community as it is the first major public art project funded by the newly established Arts & Culture Development Grant. This initiative underscores the City of Bryan and Destination Bryan’s commitment to enriching the cultural landscape and enhancing the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.

The Arts & Culture Grant program, which allocated approximately $150,000 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and $200,000 in the 2024-2025 fiscal year for arts and culture projects, is crucial in funding such creative endeavors. The new mural project received a generous grant, providing a platform for artistic expression that will contribute to the ambiance and revitalization of Downtown Bryan.

When asked about the mural project, Jeremy Thompson with Beast Syndicate said "This project has been 6 years in the making and the new City of Bryan Arts & Culture Development Grant program helped us raise the funds to make it a reality. Investment in arts projects like this mural shows that the City government understands the important impact public art can have on the community – from boosting the day-to-day quality of life of residents, to inspiring creativity in the community, to increasing foot traffic for local businesses. This project (and others funded by these grants) is also a testament to the City’s vision, investing in the entire community by partnering with small businesses to support of local art initiatives."

The mural is being brought to life by artist Phoebe Joynt in collaboration with Jeremy Thompson, whose creativity and street art background are expected to result in a truly uniquely 'Bryan' mural. This mural will be housed on the back side of Rabbit Hole & The Attic Antiques at 118 South Bryan Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77803.

"This mural is Downtown’s first such project by an artist of this caliber and at 1300sqft is certainly the biggest. Creating public art of this quality and scale dynamically contributes to boosting Bryan’s image as a creative-friendly community. By its very nature it offers a highly visible, tangible expression of purpose and care for the community, as well as literally brightening the aesthetic landscape of downtown," said Jeremy.

The public is invited to witness the unveiling of the mural during November's First Friday, on November 1, at 5:30 PM. This occasion will not only showcase the finished artwork but also provide an opportunity for the community to engage directly with the artist.

The impact of this mural on the local community is anticipated to be significant, as it is expected to enhance the overall ambiance of downtown, aligning with the City’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.

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About Arts & Culture Development Grant: The City of Bryan’s Arts and Culture Development Grant, funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues collected within Bryan, Texas, provides organizations with financial support for programs and projects that develop and elevate the arts and culture in the community and directly enhance and promote Bryan as a tourism destination. Generally, grant amounts received through this grant will range from $2,500 to $25,000 based on a recommendation from the Arts and Culture Development Grant Review Committee. The 2025-2026 fiscal year applications are expected to open in June or July 2025.

About Destination Bryan: Destination Bryan is the destination marketing organization for Bryan, TX. The organization aims to promote the city to drive economic development to increase residents' quality of life. Through partnerships with various attractions, businesses, and hotels, Destination Bryan is able to promote tourism and assist groups interested in having events in the City of Bryan to create a positive impact for the community.

About Jeremy Thompson & Beast Syndicate: Beast Syndicate (BEAST) is the studio moniker of Texas-based graphic artist Jeremy Thompson. Well-regarded by local businesses (Zeitman’s, What’sThe Buzz Coffee, Vortex, RX Pizza) he has operated from a studio in downtown Bryan since 2016. Creating in a unique yet familiar pop art-inspired style, BEAST’s most impressive public work to date is a large mural in downtown Houston. Other artwork can be seen on permanent display in Bryan College Station, Austin, Waco and in the UK. The artist relishes the opportunity to see the public respond to his work and regularly exhibits at events such as SXSW, Houston’s annual ‘It Came From TheBayou’ and PrintAustin.

About Phoebe Joynt: FeeBee is an Austin-based artist, designer, and muralist. She is known for incorporating modern, urban, and street art elements into her ever-developing pop art style. Her background of street art and illustration was greatly influenced during her time in Brooklyn, NY. FeeBee was born in upstate NY and received her Bachelor's degree in Communications Design from the Pratt Institute in New York City. She continues to explore what is possible with her creative style in the studio and on the streets. Her singular goal is to create something beautiful, eye-catching, and exciting for the viewer.

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Lina Adams
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lina@destinationbryan.com
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