Valley Malls Are Getting Mural Makeovers

Murals are taking over metro Phoenix. Scottsdale Fashion Square, Chandler Fashion Center, Arrowhead Towne Center, Biltmore Fashion Park, and the SanTan Village Regional Center have received murals by Kelsey Montague, a popular street artist.

Montague has worked with Facebook, Gap, United Airlines, and Coca Cola to create murals worldwide.

“We’ve been traveling the world, creating these large and small interactive art murals. It allows me to do something I love and have creative freedom, but I also get to work with great brands and different clients and reach audiences in a fun, organic way,” says Montague.


The real estate company who owns the malls commissioned the artist to paint the murals on the shopping centers. The real estate company has stated they are “committed to bringing a rich variety of new experiences to guests at our top retail properties across the country, and now more than ever, this certainly includes compelling art works.”

Many companies like that Montague’s work is interactive and looks good on social media. The murals have her Instagram handle and contains the hashtag #WhatLiftsYou.

“My art really is focused on other people and communities and letting those people step into the work and letting them take over,” says Montague.

The artist’s murals have attained viral popularity when celebrities have posed in front of them.

The owners of the malls hope the murals will attract greater business to the areas.

“From cutting-edge permanent art installations created by world-class artists to always changing, ticketed art exhibits, student shows and fun, Instagram-ready spaces, highly expressive visual art is an important way our properties are resonating with people today,” says Marcerich.

Montague works closely with her clients to bring little pieces of the city’s culture to her murals.

“My goal as an artist is when you come across my murals, it’s not like this advertisement in your face,” says Montague. “Communities and people should know (the mural) is for them.”