Public Art Event
Client:  UNEXPECTED
Location: Downtown Fort Smith, North West Arkansas

Artists: Camille Walala

Service: Concept, Curation, development and Production

Justkids invited Camille Walala to The Unexpected for the first time; taking over all dimensions of a 1950’s neglected service station at the main intersection of Grand Avenue and 11th street.

Marking the welcoming entrance of Downtown Fort Smith, Walala Pump & Go gas station features the French artist eclectic trademark tribal pop style of vibrant geometric color patterns that highlight existing elements with a dynamic brio.

Influenced by her travels, the Memphis movement, the optical art masters and the Southern Ndebele tribe women, the 1950’s architectonic support was perfect for the artist to transform it into an eye-catching social space in just one week, with the amazing community effort and collaboration of local artist Nate Meyers (Buffalo) and a group of skillful volunteers.  

“Walala’s bold and playful style incredibly enhances built space and architecture, creating welcoming gathering spaces. After five years of curating diverse visual projects in Fort Smith, I learned that a big part of good place-making is creating community and a sense of re-discovery of the beauty that was there, in the city, all along, and Camille’s work does just that”

- Charlotte Dutoit, Curator of Justkids & Unexpected Project

Press for Camille Walala at Unexpected :

Fast Company - This gas station was just another abandoned building. Now it’s eye-popping op art

Juxtapoz - Walala Pump & Go: Camille Walala Transforms Gas Station in Fort Smith, Arkansas for The Unexpected

Designboom - Camille Walala transforms vintage gas station into a colorful landmark in Arkansas

The Architects Newspaper - Camille Walala rejuvenates an Arkansas gas station from eyesore to icon

Curbed - Camille Walala gives defunct gas station a vibrant makeover

The Spaces - An Arkansas gas station gets a colourful makeover courtesy of Camille Walala

COOLHUNTER - JUSTKIDS + CAMILLE WALALA’S COLORFUL GAS STATION

WideWalls - Camille Walala Turned This Fort Smith Gas Station From Vintage to Vibrant!

Graffiti Street - Camille Walala transforms vintage gas station into a colourful delight, Fort Smith, Arkansas 2019

Urbaniti - Camille Walala Transforms Vintage Gas Station in Fort Smith, Arkansas for The Unexpected

I support Street Art - Camille Walala transforms Gas Station into colourful Landmark