Mobile Arts Council has announced the artists selected for the inaugural MobTown Mural Festival, a two-day celebration of public art set for Sept. 12-13 in downtown Mobile.

Presented by Downtown Mobile Alliance, the free festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will bring artists and the community together for live mural painting and other public art projects, a news release from the Mobile Arts Council.

Three full-scale mural sites will be transformed during the festival: the Jimmy Buffett mural wall at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, the Mobile Mysticks mural wall at Cedar Street Social Club and the west-facing wall of Innovation Portal.

Five marine-grade 4-foot-by-4-foot cubes also will be painted live by artists in Cooper Riverside Park. Once completed, the cubes will become additional public art pieces that can be displayed throughout Mobile's parks and public spaces.

Artists were invited to submit designs for either a full-scale mural or one of the festival's 4-foot-by-4-foot cubes. The call for artists encouraged designs inspired by the Gulf Coast and influenced by Mobile's culture, landscape, history and lifestyle.

More than 65 applications were submitted for the inaugural festival. The selected artists are Hannah Legg, Gary Brady, JD Swiger, Apollo, Jenyes, Rachel Schwemin, Brian Tan, David Rojas Pacheco, Greg Crimmins and Christy LeGros' Barton Art Class students.

The festival marks a shift in Mobile Arts Council's annual public art programming. After 13 consecutive years of The Throwdown, an event that challenged artists to compete for the coveted Throwdown title belt, the council is moving its focus from competition to collaboration and creation.

“When we place value on our creatives and give them ownership in the city they call home, beautiful things are possible,” Jessica Jones, community engagement coordinator for Mobile Arts Council, said in the release. “Public art strengthens our creative currency and helps shape the culture and identity of our community. We are thrilled to exercise our creative community muscles and put Mobile’s incredible artists on full display as they paint the town red, blue, yellow — or whatever colors they choose.”

Jones said the festival reflects the council's belief that supporting local artists can help shape Mobile's public spaces and strengthen the community.

“Mobile Arts Council believes that when a community embraces its artists, it has the opportunity to create the cityscape it wants to live in,” Jones said. “Public art creates a sense of place, draws visitors, inspires residents, and helps build a community where creatives can thrive.”

Community members are encouraged to visit the mural sites throughout the weekend, watch the artists work and experience Mobile's creative community in action.

Event sponsors include Downtown Mobile Alliance, the presenting sponsor; The City of Mobile; The Ben May Charitable Trust; Sybil Smith Foundation; Mobile County Commission; Karen Carr and Michael Smith; UA Local 119 Plumbers and Pipefitters; Hieronymus CPA’s; 22nd State Bank; Bright Haven Therapy; Dr. Kristin Rager; Colin-Al Green Attorney at Law; Heroes Sports Bar & Grille; Sherwin-Williams; National Maritime Museum of the Gulf; Cedar Street Social Club and Innovation Portal.