• Prototype image courtesy of Cix

Painted utility boxes, colorful murals, more artists per capita than any other place in California ... Eureka, art has found it! The city by the bay is about to get a bit splashier as local and international artists set upon its streets and liven them up with new murals and art during The Eureka Street Art Festival, Aug. 11-18 (free).

Old Town will grow brighter and more visually diverse all week with the creation of more than 15 new pieces of artwork — focusing primarily on Opera Alley, which runs between Second and Third streets. Participating artists include visitors Cix (Mexico City), Elle (New York), Xavi Panneton (Oregon) and Dave Van Patten (Long Beach). Local artists include Anna Sofia Amezcua, Phyllis Barba, Julie McNeil, Blake Regan, Stock Schlueter and Rachel Schlueter. In addition to the artists creating all week, the festival will also feature art talks, events and daily mural tours at 5:30 p.m. leaving from the Black Faun Gallery. On Saturday, Aug. 18, the festival culminates with the Opera Alley Street Party from noon to 6 p.m. to celebrate the completion of the work (free). Check out the finished artwork, as well as live painting, while cruising the three beer gardens, a Kids' Zone with crafting activities brought to you by SCRAP Humboldt, face painting and chalk art, and live music and performances by Bandemonium, the Synapsis Aerial Collective, Barnett and the Boys, the James Zeller Trio, 707 Band, the Cold Light of Day and various DJs.