Vandals Take Aim At New Year’s Eve Mural Project In Downtown OKC

Oklahoma City Police said they're searching for someone seen swiping and damaging large murals off the streets of downtown Oklahoma City. 

They were caught on camera strapping one of them to the hood of their car.

While many Oklahomans were home with their families during Christmas break, the Arts Council said the streets weren't as quiet as they expected.

“Sometime during that break period, it was about a six-day period, that is when the murals were toppled over, and one was stolen,” Angela Cozby with the Oklahoma City Arts Council said.

The murals were painstakingly created by five different artists. They were outside city hall, but Cozby said they're no longer on display.

“It's really unfortunate and heartbreaking because these murals are absolutely gorgeous,” Cozby said.

“It's pretty devastating for us.”

These murals were part of the Arts Council's Fresh Paint: OKC NYE competition.

“To go from blank canvas to these huge 8 by 8 panels that are so colorful, that represent their culture, or whatever they were trying to say to the community it was just so impactful,” Cozby said. 

A project started three years ago pairing young artists of color with a mentor helping them launch a career in making and commissioning public art.

The Arts Council called the Oklahoma City Police Department. Police said if anyone has any information to call Crimestoppers at (405) 235-7300.

Surveillance photos showed a car going to downtown OKC and leaving with a mural Cozby said weighs up to a thousand pounds. That piece depicts the artist's indigenous background.

Cozby said the hardest part was telling the artists what happened to their work, but she was glad to say that the competition is still on.

“The winner not only gets naming rights for winning the competition but a great price package from the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Cozby said.

Although the murals are no longer on public display, people can still vote for their favorite online.

To vote, click here. Voting closes on New Year's Eve.