San Diego Tourism Authority and Tripadvisor Launch First-of-its-Kind Immersive Mural Art Experience

Thursday, Apr 06, 2023 0

SDTA and Tripadvisor to deliver an innovative art campaign “The Sunny Side of Things” to entice travel to San Diego

As wanderlust travelers begin to plan their spring and summer getaways, the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) has partnered with Tripadvisor to attract visitors to San Diego through an innovative art installation and augmented reality filter that captures the destination’s sunny optimism and positivity. Running now through April 30, “The Sunny Side of Things,” a first-of-its-kind immersive mural art campaign will appear in three of the largest U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Created by Wanderlab, Tripadvisor’s in-house creative and content studio for the SDTA, the street murals were hand-painted by local San Diego artists Channin Fulton (New York Mural), Hanna Gundrum (Los Angeles Mural) and Phoebe Cornog (Chicago Mural). Each of the murals provide a unique view into the vibrant culture, beaches, attractions and outdoor activities that await visitors in America’s Finest City. Complementing the artfully created masterpieces are augmented reality filters that capture the city’s optimistic outlook on life. By scanning QR codes, viewers can unlock an array of experiences that will entice them to discover all the incredible attractions and experiences San Diego offers and book a trip.

Not only will mesmerizing visuals reveal the experience that awaits travelers, but through the QR codes, visitors are invited to enter and have a chance to win the San Diego Sunshine Kit Sweepstakes. Showcasing San Diego’s iconic sights, products and brands, the San Diego Sunshine Kit offer a delightful collection of local companies that are making their mark with their own SoCal flair and sustainable practices. The kit will inspire visitation to San Diego with a variety of products from Vuori, Coola, Chuoac Chocolatier, ALOHA Collection, 1502 Candle Company and tickets to experience San Diego’s attractions with admission to the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND California and Petco Park.

“We are excited to join forces with Tripadvisor and bring the San Diego brand to life through beautiful visuals, creative expression and cutting-edge technology,” said SDTA COO Kerri Verbeke Kapich. “Our partnership with Tripadvisor empowers the San Diego Tourism Authority to propel our beloved destination towards greater heights and engage travelers to plan a visit to San Diego through experiential activations.”

The San Diego artists chosen for this campaign convey diverse, yet complementary styles that connect to one another through joyous exuberance in their portfolios.

New York Mural (102 Ludlow, Lower East Side, New York City)
Channin Fulton (@channinfulton) is a San Diego-based illustrator with a knack for mural painting, lettering, and other playful curiosities. Her methods, aesthetics, and conceptual motivations and inspiration are driven by the California beach and Mexican street culture that surrounds her. She brings a “California vibe” into her work through bold shape and vibrant color.

Los Angeles Mural (600 N La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles)
Hanna Gundrum (@littlehouseink) is a bold commercial artist with 15 years of experience painting murals in a variety of styles. Her work brings the share-worthy “funshine” as the quintessential photo opp – it is playful, memorable, and interactive. About her art, “There’s something about arranging visual information that’s always soothed my anxious soul. The thread that ties all of my work together is color. Bright, bold “pay attention to me!” color and juicy black lines.”

Chicago Mural (740 W Randolph, West Loop, Chicago)
Phoebe Cornog (@phoebecornog) is a San Diego-based artist known for her intricate letters, funky color palettes, bold statement pieces and interesting sense of humor. She believes that “it’s not work if it’s fun,” and she strives to breathe that motto into all of her projects. When not painting murals or creating art installations, Phoebe likes to try the new restaurants in town (especially if they have oysters) and spend time at the beach.

To help share the joy of San Diego, a collection of animated GIFS were created from elements of murals and made them available as “stickers” for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook.