International Mural, Art Conference 2025 set for June in Miri
Allaistair (second right) and his team from Mercure Miri City Centre show a thumbs-up gesture on stage.
MIRI (May 16): Mercure Miri City Centre will host the Miri International Mural & Art Conference 2025 from June 4 to 14, featuring mural artists from the United Kingdom (UK), China, Taiwan and Sarawak.
According to Mercure Miri City Centre Special Event Director Allaistair Allisson Daniel, the 10-day event will not only showcase Miri's rich cultural heritage but also provide a platform for artistic expression, education, and community engagement.
Held under the theme 'Beyond Art: Evolving in 50 Years', the event will begin with an art festival from June 4 to 11, followed by the conference on June 13 and 14.
'This event will involve global artists, the special needs community, and local residents in creating mural artworks that envision Miri's future 50 years from now,' said Allaistair at a press conference yesterday.
He added that the conference would serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, critical discourse, and networking further positioning Miri as a prospective hub for artistic innovation and education.
One of the key objectives of the event is to create a vibrant and inclusive public art exhibition that features the work of international artists alongside contributions from individuals with special needs.
It also aims to foster community engagement and social cohesion aimed at fostering community engagement and social by bringing together diverse groups, including international artists, local residents, and the special needs community, to encourage cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
'Through this event, we hope to promote artistic expression and education by providing opportunities for skills development and creative engagement, while highlighting the value of public art in community development,' Allaistair said.
The organisers have partnered with Empower Special Needs Connection and Malaysian Care in Miri – organisations dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs.
'We want to use the lens of art to empower the special needs community to contribute their dreams for what Miri could be in the next 50 years,' he noted.
'This inclusive approach will foster a sense of ownership and belonging, while also offering a unique perspective on Miri's future.
Allaistair emphasised that by embracing inclusivity and community engagement, the organisers hope to create a lasting impact on the special needs community, raise awareness, and contribute to a more compassionate and equitable society.
Expected attendees at the conference include school and university representatives, professional artists, art collectors, curators, government and tourism officials, art industry players, business professionals, content creators, and members of the media.
Confirmed artists and panelists include muralists Sam Lim (Miri) and Kong Chak Kiong (Sibu); calligrapher Letterhythm (Bintulu); mural graffiti artist Amey Sheikh Ali (Kuching); international graffiti artists Sheep Chen (China); Bounce (Taiwan); and light-reactive artist Helenya Apostolou (UK).
Tickets are priced at RM99 per adult or RM120 inclusive of the after party; RM59 for children aged 6-12; and RM69 per student (aged 13 and above) for groups of 20 or more.
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