Be The People Art Installation at ACL Fest

Art has the power to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire positive change.

For the 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL), as an Austin-based muralist and multidisciplinary artist (@zuzubee), I partnered with Be The People to bring art, creativity, and community engagement to one of the country’s most celebrated music festivals.

Located in the heart of Zilker Park, the Be The People Impact Zone transformed traditional festival engagement into an immersive, interactive art experience designed to inspire connection, encourage participation, and celebrate the power of collective action.

As part of the creative collaboration, I brought my signature artistic style to a vibrant, custom-painted environment that invited festivalgoers to become part of the artwork. Through bold visual storytelling, live painting, and interactive photo opportunities, the installation created a memorable gathering space where creativity and community intersected.

More than just a colorful festival activation, the Be The People Impact Zone served as a platform for meaningful community engagement.

Be The People is a nationwide, 10-year initiative dedicated to empowering individuals to create positive change in their communities. By connecting people with grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and opportunities for local involvement, the movement encourages everyday actions that make a lasting difference.

Throughout ACL Festival, attendees were invited to engage with interactive art, capture memories in a custom-painted photo environment, contribute to a community pledge wall, and discover ways to make an impact beyond the festival grounds.

The experience also connected visitors with Austin organizations, including the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, and Austin Parks Foundation, highlighting important causes supporting local musicians, mental health, environmental stewardship, and the Austin community.

For Zuzu, the collaboration represented the intersection of her passions: large-scale mural art, creative placemaking, immersive experiences, and community-driven storytelling.

By integrating original artwork into an interactive festival environment, the project demonstrated how public art can elevate brand experiences beyond visual aesthetics, creating opportunities for authentic participation, emotional connection, and shared purpose.

The result was a colorful celebration of creativity and collective impact, reminding festivalgoers that meaningful change begins with showing up, connecting with others, and taking action.