Salina Post
The dates for the annual BOOM! Salina has officially been announced for the 2025 season.
Monday, September 29 - Saturday, October 4, will be a week full of breathtaking artwork from artists across the world that will showcase their murals to the community of Salina. This year will introduce four artists joining the festival's lineup such as:
- Drew Merritt: Clovis, New Mexico (now based in Los Angeles)
- John Matos, "Crash One": Bronx, New York
- Stathis Tsavalias, "Insane51": Athens, Greece
- Amy Sol: Las Vegas, Nevada
Please note that some artists may show up earlier than the listed dates.
The following are bios of each artist courtesy of BOOM! Salina
Drew Merritt
Drew Merritt is a contemporary muralist and fine artist whose evocative works bridge classical portraiture with modern street art. Born on the outskirts of Clovis, New Mexico, Merritt was raised on a farm and cattle ranch, where he cultivated his artistic talents without formal training. His early exposure to graffiti-covered cargo trains ignited a passion for art that would later manifest in large-scale murals and oil paintings. Merritt’s art often explores themes of contrast and conflict, placing classical subjects in contemporary settings to evoke a broad spectrum of emotions, from pleasure to isolation. Now based in Los Angeles, Merritt continues to develop an ever-changing body of work that encompasses a variety of mediums and textures. His murals and paintings are characterized by their romanticized, timeless quality, often leaning into a neo-western aesthetic as an homage to his upbringing . By guiding his audience through a world of emotions and evoking empathy, Merritt’s work invites viewers to imagine the stories behind his subjects, offering a clear visual biography that reflects the way they are created.
Crash One
John Matos, widely recognized by his moniker “Crash,” is a pioneering figure in the graffiti art movement, originating from the Bronx, New York. Embarking on his artistic journey at the tender age of 13, Crash began adorning subway cars with his distinctive style, marking the inception of a career that would bridge the gap between street art and the formal art world. His transition from the underground to mainstream recognition was catalyzed in 1980 when he curated the groundbreaking exhibition “Graffiti Art Success for America” at Fashion MODA, a pivotal event that propelled graffiti into the realm of contemporary art. Crash’s work, characterized by vivid colors and dynamic compositions, has since been showcased in numerous galleries and museums globally, cementing his status as a seminal artist in the evolution of urban art. Beyond the canvas, Crash has extended his artistic influence through collaborations with prominent brands, including Absolut Vodka, Fender Guitars, and Tumi luggage, blending commercial appeal with his unique aesthetic. Notably, his custom-painted “Crashocaster” guitars, created for legendary musician Eric Clapton, exemplify the fusion of visual art and music. As a co-owner of WallWorks New York, Crash continues to nurture emerging talent and contribute to the cultural fabric of his hometown. His enduring legacy is reflected in his commitment to authenticity and innovation, inspiring a new generation of artists to explore the transformative power of graffiti.
Insane51
Stathis Tsavalias, professionally known as Insane51, is a Greek muralist born in Athens in 1992. He began his journey in street art as a graffiti writer in 2007 and studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, with additional training in graphic and applied arts. Early in his career, he focused on experimental techniques involving color and form, but he later refined his style towards photorealism and innovative overlay mural methods. His signature technique, dubbed “Double Exposure 3D” or anaglyph murals, involves layering two distinct images—one in red, one in cyan—that reveal themselves through 3D glasses or filters, crafting an immersive visual experience. Over the past decade, Insane51 has showcased his work at prominent festivals and galleries globally—including Upfest in Bristol, Urban Nation in Berlin, and the Underdogs Gallery in Lisbon. His murals, often featuring hyperrealistic portraits overlaid with skeletal or symbolic forms, bend optics and challenge viewers’ perceptions. A Guinness World Record holder for the largest glow-in-the-dark graffiti scroll and the most expansive 3D mural, he continues to push the boundaries of street art with his blend of technical mastery, optical illusion, and emotive storytelling.
Amy Sol
Amy Sol is an American artist of Korean descent, currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada, whose work is celebrated within the Pop‑Surreal and Lowbrow movements. Entirely self‑taught, Sol typically paints on treated wooden panels, allowing the natural grain to inform her subdued, atmospheric color palette—like a musical rhythm guiding the composition. Her serene paintings often depict delicate, young female figures interacting with oversized or mythical animals within ethereal landscapes, evoking themes of companionship, introspection, and mysticism. Over the past decade, Sol has built a strong global presence through gallery exhibitions, art fairs, and mural installations—most notably contributing to URBAN NATION’s Project M/14 in Berlin. Her visual language draws from manga, folk art, classical animation, and vintage illustration, blending narrative and figurative styles to create dreamlike realms open to individual interpretation. By merging whimsical flora and fauna with contemplative human figures in muted, pastel tones, Sol crafts evocative compositions that feel both timeless and intimately personal.
For more information, go to: https://www.boomsalina.art/