AOTA Mural Festival: How One Street Became Broward’s Most Vibrant Arts Corridor

What began as a single mural project has evolved into a powerful movement connecting art, education, and community across Fort Lauderdale.

Photo Credit: Paul Henry

The AOTA (Avenue of the Arts) Mural Festival began along NW 7th Avenue—now widely recognized as the Avenue of the Arts—with a simple but powerful idea: bring art directly to the community and invite people to experience creativity where they already live.

Four years later, AOTA Fest has evolved far beyond mural production. Today, it stands at the intersection of public art, education, and community connection, linking Historic Sistrunk, the Thrive Arts District, and Flagler Village into a unified cultural corridor that’s reshaping how Fort Lauderdale experiences art.

From Walls to a Recognizable Arts Destination

Visually, the transformation is undeniable. What was once a collection of disconnected blocks is now a recognizable arts destination, filled with large-scale murals that reflect cultural awareness, identity, and storytelling.

Economically, the impact is just as tangible. Increased foot traffic has brought new visitors into local businesses, sparked interest from property owners, and encouraged thoughtful investment throughout the corridor.

Perhaps the strongest sign of success is the shift in conversation. Each year, fewer people ask, “What’s happening here?” and more ask, “What’s next?”—a clear marker of sustained momentum and long-term community buy-in.

Artist: Magda Love

Art as an Educational Tool

At the heart of AOTA Fest is a deep commitment to education. The festival’s programming includes structured school field trips, lesson plans tied to live mural creation, and direct interaction between students and working artists. Instead of observing art from a distance, students learn about scale, lettering, history, and creative careers in real time.

Families are brought into the experience through mural tours and exhibitions, turning education into a shared, community-wide moment. For many students, this marks their first exposure to art outside the classroom—an experience that has proven to be both eye-opening and transformative.

Photo Credit: Paul Henry

Intentional Artist Curation

Artist selection at AOTA Fest is thoughtful and balanced. Curators prioritize strong public art portfolios alongside a clear sense of cultural awareness within each artist’s body of work. The lineup intentionally blends local artists who understand the community with national and international artists who introduce new perspectives.

The festival also creates space for artistic growth. Studio-based painters take on the challenge of large-scale murals, while graffiti artists known for burners expand into more narrative-driven bodies of work. The result is a dynamic mix that elevates artist careers while positioning Fort Lauderdale as a place where diverse creative practices can thrive.

Community at the Core

Community engagement isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation. Mural tours remain one of the festival’s most popular offerings, giving residents the chance to learn the stories behind the walls. Beyond that, AOTA Fest hosts workshops, spray paint battles, gallery exhibitions, and volunteer opportunities, ensuring there’s always a way to participate.

Whether you’re an artist, a student, or simply curious about the creative process, the festival is designed to be open, accessible, and welcoming.

Photo Credit: Paul Henry

Building for Longevity

Ensuring murals last requires trust, planning, and collaboration. AOTA Fest works closely with property owners to select appropriate walls, properly prepare surfaces, and use professional-grade materials. Partnerships with city stakeholders help position murals as long-term cultural assets rather than temporary decorations.

While Fort Lauderdale’s growth means some murals will inevitably give way to new development, demand continues to grow. Small businesses, corporations, and schools regularly reach out to donate walls and support the festival’s mission—clear evidence that the movement is expanding in the right direction.

Closing the Arts Education Gap

The emotional impact of AOTA Fest may be its most powerful measure of success. Teachers have shared that festival field trips were the first art excursions their students had experienced in decades. Students consistently ask for more time, more access, and more opportunities to engage with artists who look like them and share similar backgrounds.

This feedback has fueled the festival’s push toward year-round programming. With a significant arts education gap in Broward County, AOTA Fest is set to work with over 300 students this year, taking learning beyond classroom walls and helping young people see themselves reflected in creative careers.

Artist & Maxence Doytier (AOTA Founder). Photo Credit: Paul Henry

Powered by Local Partnerships

Local businesses play a crucial role in making the festival accessible. Breweries host events, galleries open their doors, and small businesses provide walls, food, venues, and sponsorships. Those partnerships keep murals, tours, and many events free and open to the public, though they require months of door-knocking, phone calls, and relationship-building to bring to life.

Measuring Success Beyond the Numbers

Success at AOTA Fest is measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Metrics like the number of walls painted, tours booked, and students engaged tell part of the story. Equally important are the conversations sparked during and after installations—students asking about creative careers, teachers reimagining arts programming, and residents expressing pride in seeing their neighborhoods celebrated.

When the community feels seen, inspired, and genuinely included, the festival has fulfilled its purpose.

Photo Credit: Paul Henry

Looking Ahead: A Permanent Arts Ecosystem

In five years, AOTA Fest envisions becoming a permanent arts and education ecosystem, extending well beyond a single festival week or corridor. The goal includes multi-month exhibitions, long-term installations, and programming that activates multiple cities across Broward County.

Plans are already taking shape to place artists directly into classrooms as educators, creating sustainable pathways for creative careers while addressing long-standing gaps in arts education.

Residents remain central to that vision. By attending events, volunteering, supporting artists, hosting walls, and advocating for arts access, the community helps shape the future of cultural development in Broward. AOTA Fest works because it’s built with the community—not for it—and its continued success depends on growing, collaborating, and investing together.