MONTREAL, May 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The MURAL international public art festival and the Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL) unveiled today at a press conference the official line-up for the 2014 event, taking place June 12 to 15 on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal.

"The festivities take place in a pedestrian zone that can be accessed free of charge once again, so visitors can experience the full ambience of the street art," said André Bathalon, festival co-founder and spokesperson. "Twenty new murals will be created over the four days, bringing to nearly 40 the number of large-scale works that have transformed The Main and surrounding area since 2013."

"The second edition of MURAL immerses you deeply into the world of street art," he continued. "The many exhibits and displays and the brand-new program of art films at Excentris theatre will extend and enrich the cultural experience of festival-goers. Also new this year, we offer a musical component to the MURAL experience, with four days of free outdoor performances and a few ticketed concerts."

Saint-Laurent Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue for the occasion. Festival artisans and local merchants alike will welcome visitors from around the world, as the district yet again transforms into a showcase of the world's avant-garde in public art. The festival receives logistical and financial support from the Borough of Plateau Mont-Royal, among others.

MURAL 2014 brings together world-renowned visual artists from seven countries, including Kashink (FRA), 123 Klan (FRA), Nunca (BRA), Inti (CHI), Bezt de Etam Cru (POL), Cyrcle (USA), 2501 (ITA), Alexis Diaz (PUR), Seth (FRA), Vilx (FRA), Le diamantaire (FRA) and numerous others.

MURAL will also host many well-known Montreal, Quebec and Canadian artists, including Zilon, Scan, Zema, Fred Caron, Zoltan, Kevin Ledo, Bryan Beyung, Miss Me, Stikki Peaches, Mathieu Connery , Alex Produkt, Éric Clément and others.

"We are very proud to see the festival continue; it is a lively and unique artistic experience that leaves behind a landscape that is completely redefined by public art, but that also places a spotlight on the businesses and tourist activities on offer on The Main," said Glenn Castanheira, executive director of the SDBSL, which is providing organizational support.

"Again this year, we will play host to several hundred thousand visitors, many of them tourists, who will see Saint-Laurent Boulevard and the Plateau Mont-Royal in a new light, more beautiful, more audacious, yet still authentic," he concluded. "MURAL will help reinforce Montreal's position as an indisputable hub of public art in the world."

MURAL 2014: a rich experience of street arts of all types

Four days of free outdoor musical performances in the festival's central zone (parking area across from Excentris theatre), along with exhibits and displays, a roster of art films, shows and special events round out the 2014 MURAL experience:

Thursday, June 12, 2014:

5:00 to 10:30 p.m.: Musical block party I, presented by Festival MEG. Program TBA

5:00 to 11:00 p.m.: Unveiling of work by French artist Kashink at Station 16 gallery

Starting at 10:00 p.m.: Performance by London house duo Dusky, presented by Saintwoods, Lndmrk, SJU and Neon at the Société des arts technologiques (SAT). Tickets available on-line soon

Friday, June 13, 2014:

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Launch of mobile application by Instagrafite (BRA), the largest collaborative gallery of street art in the world, at Station 16 gallery

1:00 to 10:00 p.m.: Musical block party II, presented by Saintwoods. Program TBA

5:00 to 10:30 p.m.: Unveiling of work by Alex Produkt (CAN)

Saturday, June 14, 2014:

1:00 to 10:00 p.m.: Musical block party III, presented by Festival Osheaga. Program TBA

Sunday, June 15, 2014:

2:00 to 10:00 p.m.: Musical block party IV, presented by Art Battle. Program TBA

Starting at 10:00 p.m.: MURAL 2014 closing night, presented by Saintwoods and LNDRMK at Appartement 200. Performance by Paul Wall (USA) and special guests. Tickets available at the door

All program details will be made available on the MURAL website ( muralfestival.com).

A video clip launching the MURAL 2014 line-up can be viewed online at http://vimeo.com/muralfestival/mural2014teaser

A unique event in northeastern North America, MURAL is Canada's largest artistic gathering to blend creation of large-scale works and lasting transformation of the urban landscape. With its immensely successful first edition in 2013, the festival won the prix Ulysse for Best Festival or Tourist Event in its category at the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois for the Montreal area.

Established in 2000, the Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL) represents nearly 600 member businesses on the boulevard. Its mission is to promote the economic, cultural and social development of Saint-Laurent Boulevard between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue.

SOURCE Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent