MIRI，16 May: Miri is poised to become the centre of global artistic attention this June as Mercure Miri City Centre launches the ‘Beyond Art: Evolving in 50 Years‘ festival, a 10-day celebration of creativity, community and culture from June 4 to 14.
The Miri International Mural & Art Conference 2025 will bring together six renowned mural artists from around the world, including the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, alongside the local special needs community and residents, to transform the city into a living gallery of vibrant murals.
These artworks will envision Miri 50 years into the future, reflecting both aspiration and identity.
Mercure Miri, part of the AccorHotels group and known for integrating Sarawak’s rich heritage into its guest experiences, will serve as the main venue for both the mural festival and the subsequent art conference.
“This festival isn’t just about art; it’s about inclusion, innovation and investing in our future,” the hotel said in a statement.
“By engaging diverse voices and talents, especially from the special needs community, we’re building a creative legacy for Miri.”
The programme will feature mural creation sessions, artist talks, community tours, interactive art activities, and a documentary chronicling each artist’s journey and vision for Miri.
Participating artists include Sarawak’s own Sam Lim, calligraffiti specialist Letterhythm from Bintulu, and international names such as Bounce from Taiwan, Helenya Apostolou from the United Kingdom, and graffiti artist Sheep Chen from China.
A highlight of the festival is its strong focus on inclusivity.
In collaboration with organisations such as Empower Special Needs Connection and Malaysian Care, the initiative aims to empower individuals with special needs to express their vision for Miri through art.
This partnership emphasises creative empowerment, social inclusivity, and community pride.
The event will culminate in a two-day international conference from June 13 to 14, expected to attract academics, curators, creatives and policymakers.
Topics will include digital art, identity and representation in art, artistic mental health and innovation in curatorial practices.
Notably, the conference will incorporate the PEAKS psychometric profiling system, aligning with Sarawak’s digital transformation agenda.
“This AI-powered tool will enable participants to explore their personal strengths and potential through artistic expression, positioning Miri as a forward-thinking hub for human capital development,” the statement added.
The Miri International Mural & Art Conference 2025 will bring together six renowned mural artists from around the world, including the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, alongside the local special needs community and residents, to transform the city into a living gallery of vibrant murals.
These artworks will envision Miri 50 years into the future, reflecting both aspiration and identity.
Mercure Miri, part of the AccorHotels group and known for integrating Sarawak’s rich heritage into its guest experiences, will serve as the main venue for both the mural festival and the subsequent art conference.
“This festival isn’t just about art; it’s about inclusion, innovation and investing in our future,” the hotel said in a statement.
“By engaging diverse voices and talents, especially from the special needs community, we’re building a creative legacy for Miri.”
The programme will feature mural creation sessions, artist talks, community tours, interactive art activities, and a documentary chronicling each artist’s journey and vision for Miri.
Participating artists include Sarawak’s own Sam Lim, calligraffiti specialist Letterhythm from Bintulu, and international names such as Bounce from Taiwan, Helenya Apostolou from the United Kingdom, and graffiti artist Sheep Chen from China.
A highlight of the festival is its strong focus on inclusivity.
In collaboration with organisations such as Empower Special Needs Connection and Malaysian Care, the initiative aims to empower individuals with special needs to express their vision for Miri through art.
This partnership emphasises creative empowerment, social inclusivity, and community pride.
The event will culminate in a two-day international conference from June 13 to 14, expected to attract academics, curators, creatives and policymakers.
Topics will include digital art, identity and representation in art, artistic mental health and innovation in curatorial practices.
Notably, the conference will incorporate the PEAKS psychometric profiling system, aligning with Sarawak’s digital transformation agenda.
“This AI-powered tool will enable participants to explore their personal strengths and potential through artistic expression, positioning Miri as a forward-thinking hub for human capital development,” the statement added.