Kelsey Montague Brings Interactive Wings to The Highlands

PORTER, TX -- A new set of wings is taking shape among the trees at The Highlands. International street artist Kelsey Montague will paint her first-ever freestanding, interactive wing mural at the master-planned community’s Visitor Center, a new and unique twist on her typically wall-painted viral murals. Once complete, visitors are invited to stand between the wings, snap a photo and share what lifts them up.

The approximately 10-foot-wide, 7-foot-tall aluminum installation gives Montague’s signature work a new setting. Instead of painting the wings onto a wall, she will hand-paint a freestanding piece framed by the community’s wooded landscape. The wing’s nature-inspired details will reflect The Highlands’ national park theme, with design elements inspired by the site’s tall trees, miles of nature trails and acres of preserved green space.

“Public art has always been an integral part of how we design our communities, but there is something especially memorable about watching Kelsey paint live, right here at The Highlands,” said Jennifer Symons, chief marketing officer of Caldwell Companies. “Over the course of several days, visitors will see the wings take shape brushstroke by brushstroke. They’ll get to experience the artist’s creativity as it happens and step into a work they watched come to life. We hope every photo taken here captures a little of the joy of this place.”

Kelsey started her #WhatLiftsYou movement in Manhattan 12 years ago with large-scale murals of her iconic wings. Celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Vanessa Hudgens and Jessica Biel have posed with her street art while media outlets like The New York Times, Forbes and The Today Show have featured her work. In 2019 Taylor Swift commissioned Kelsey to create a winged mural to help launch her ‘ME!’ single in Nashville. Early in 2020 the NFL chose Kelsey, the only female chosen, to create pieces for the Superbowl in Miami. Montague shares her art with a large Instagram following at @kelseymontagueart and helps fans discover pieces through the interactive Art Map at kelseymontagueart.com/world-map/.

Montague is scheduled to paint at The Highlands Visitor Center, 21875 Zion Drive, Porter, TX 77365, during the week of October 20. Visitors can stop by to see the work in progress; the finished wings will be available for photos beginning Friday, October 23. Guests are encouraged to post their photos on Instagram and use #WhatLiftsYou. The Highlands Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Visit thehighlands.com for community information.