By Jim Carchidi
September 16, 2026
Local artists are coloring the downtown landscape for the Orlando Mural Festival. Presented by the Downtown Arts District and CityArts in cooperation with the Downtown Development Board, the event is celebrating its third year with a special opening reception at CityArts on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6-9 p.m. Events continue on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 2-10 p.m. at the Orlando Mural Festival Art Party with locations at CityArts, the Fordify the Arts Courtyard, and at Thornton Park Market on Central Boulevard by Lake Eola.
Sights and stories
Christian Stanley works on his 15.5-foot tall by 12-foot wide festival painting in the alley by Thornton Park Pub. He began with spray paint, masking off edges with tape, then switched to a brush for detail work. Photos by Jim Carchidi
Orlando-area buildings are a common canvas for large-scale paintings. Adorned walls can be found throughout West Church Street, the central business district, and several Main Streets. Christian Stanley is among this year’s contributing muralists and has been working on his piece, located on Thornton Park Pub, with the help of his wife and business partner, Jessica.
“We’ve been mostly working in the mornings for a few hours since last week,” he said while struggling to secure painter’s tape to a wall still wet from the previous night’s rain. “You have to dodge the weather and deal with the heat and humidity.”
Stanley, who is based in Winter Springs, has been painting professionally for more than 10 years and participated in the first Orlando Mural Festival. He is influenced by natural subjects and his current piece depicts Painted Buntings with a personal narrative.
“Aside from the "painted" reference, they’re migratory birds and my wife and I often migrate for work to national festivals and shows,” he said. “And we first met 10 years ago here in Thornton Park at The Falcon Bar run club.”
Artists and events
Orlando muralist Andrew Spear already finished his piece - a Rocky portrait on the side of Cavo's Bar and Kitchen, known for hosting Philadelphia pro sports watch parties.
The 2026 list of muralists and locations is as follows:
Jordan Jones: 120 S. Orange Avenue (Backside of Gitto’s Pizza)
J. Massullo: 27 E. Robinson Street
Boy Kong: 55 West Breezeway on Church Street
Bekah Unsworth: 317 N. Orange Avenue
Roxy Cousino: 27 E. Robinson Street
Matthew Mederer: 400 Pittman Street
Christian Stanley: 808 E. Washington Street (Thornton Park Pub)
Delia Miller 808 E. Washington Street (Thornton Park Pub)
Bridget Hartig: 804 E. Washington Street (Lamb’s Eat Ivy Salon)
Andrew Spear: 900 E. Washington Street (Cavo’s Bar and Kitchen)
Studio work by muralists who have participated in past festivals will be featured at the Sept. 17 CityArts reception, and some of this year’s muralists will be working on their pieces during the Saturday art party. The event will also include live painting demonstrations, vendors, live music, and food trucks.
Crowds enjoy the Saturday Art Party at last year's festival. Image courtesy of Downtown Arts District
For updates and additional information, check the CityArts Facebook page and the Downtown Arts District website.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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