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This Artist Turned An Abandoned Gas Station Into An Beautiful Landmark In Just A Week (19 Pics)
This Artist Turned An Abandoned Gas Station Into An Beautiful Landmark In Just A Week (19 Pics)
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This Artist Turned An Abandoned Gas Station Into An Beautiful Landmark In Just A Week (19 Pics)

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Abandoned buildings are quite common in cities. They sit there having no use to them and usually are not that appealing to the eye. In the city of Arkansas (USA), there is one old building like that – a gas station. It’s located at the main intersection of Grand Avenue and 11th Street, an abandoned place that’s not working, but is soon to become the most colorful and coolest building in the area.

More info: Instagram | camillewalala.com | justkidsofficial.com

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    The gas station before renovations began

    Image credits: camillewalala

    The hard work starts

    Image credits: camillewalala

    The London based French artist Camille Walala decided she would revive the building built in the 1950s. With the help of Fort Smith’s community, the collaboration of local artist Nate Meyers (Buffalo) and the curation by the global creative house Justkids, she created an amazing urban art project, in the graphic art style of eclectic tribal pop. She managed to make the abandoned building stand out, by using geometrical shapes, stripes, and bright colors. Camille was inspired by her travels, tribal elements, and the Memphis movement, she managed to transform an old, forgotten building into an eye-catching piece of street art in just one week.

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    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: Justkids

    Image credits: camillewalala

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    Justkids curated the project, managed the production and development. They help many abandoned buildings get a new life. On their site, they explain about themselves: “Justkids is a global creative house that conceives, curates and produces comprehensive art projects on an international scale with some of the most engaging artists, curators, and strategic consultants”. Justkids was founded in 2014 by a French-American art curator Charlotte Dutoit. The enterprise supports upcoming talents and helps them meet the demands of a constantly evolving audience. They offer many services like cultural development and placemaking, art curation and production, brand collaborations and content creation.

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    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: Justkids

    Image credits: Justkids

    On their website, Justkids explain why they invited Camille to do this project and tell us more about the vision of the colorful art project:
    “Justkids invited Camille Walala to The Unexpected for the first time; taking overall 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.”

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    Image credits: Justkids

    The hard work is finally done and the gas station looks amazing

    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: Justkids

    On her website, Camille explains more about herself, what inspired her and what her goals are. She mentions that she is a person who spreads positivity, through vibrant, colorful paintings and bold patterns. Her goal is to stimulate the senses and inspire joy.
    Camille graduated in textile design from the University of Brighton, she created her namesake brand in London in 2009 and lives and works there to this day. She has traveled around the world with her work, gathering important experience. She transformed homes, workspaces in her signature style. She noticed that her work translates really well onto larger surfaces and installations, so she is now working on a bigger and greater scale than ever before, with the goal to renovate the world’s urban landscapes with her unique style and work.

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    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: camillewalala

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    Image credits: Justkids

    Image credits: camillewalala

    Image credits: Justkids

    The amazing team and Camille herself in the bottom right corner

    Image credits: Justkids

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

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    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Aelita Senvaitytė

    Aelita Senvaitytė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

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    My name is Aelita and I have been an Editor for Bored Panda since 2019. I spend my days working with my amazing team and making articles the best they can be. Fantasy and magic have always ruled over my world, from movies to TV shows, to Video Games to tabletop games like Dungeos and Dragons, I try to find magic in every part of my life. Writing is a big part of me too, I hope to publish a fantasy novel one day. I also enjoy playing guitar and singing, as music always help me to get in a great mood. I have an adorable German Shepherd named Hela and we get into all kinds of adventures together.

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    Aelita Senvaitytė

    Aelita Senvaitytė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    My name is Aelita and I have been an Editor for Bored Panda since 2019. I spend my days working with my amazing team and making articles the best they can be. Fantasy and magic have always ruled over my world, from movies to TV shows, to Video Games to tabletop games like Dungeos and Dragons, I try to find magic in every part of my life. Writing is a big part of me too, I hope to publish a fantasy novel one day. I also enjoy playing guitar and singing, as music always help me to get in a great mood. I have an adorable German Shepherd named Hela and we get into all kinds of adventures together.

    What do you think ?
    Yehudit Hannah Cohn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's pretty, but I'd be more impressed if they had found a way to also use the space for something.

    Panda Panda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want to see it before (on Google maps) - http://tinyurl.com/stgroo2

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    Yehudit Hannah Cohn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's pretty, but I'd be more impressed if they had found a way to also use the space for something.

    Panda Panda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want to see it before (on Google maps) - http://tinyurl.com/stgroo2

    Load More Comments
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