KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Chiefs get set to play in the Super Bowl this Sunday, the team’s success this season has served as an inspiration for artwork around the metro area.
On Monday, local artists completed a special mural dedicated to the Chiefs on a wall along 18th Street between Locust and Cherry streets in the Crossroads.
The mural, featuring the team’s colors and “Go Chiefs!” written on two sides, was put together by the Backdrop art group.
“We’ve got hometown pride for the Chiefs going to the Super Bowl,” said Director of Painting Services Patricia McManus. “We’re here to show our support for them.”
Starting on Sunday, the artists used airbrush painting equipment, ladders and lasers to measure and color the display.
McManus told 41 Action News the group created exclusive colors, named “Lipstick on the Mirror” red and “Tan Lines” gold (named for a local band), to feature in the artwork.
“We’re trying to keep it minimal,” she said. “We really let ‘Go Chiefs!’ be a part of the message and show them that the community is here and rooting them on.”
For others, like artist Anthony Oropeza, Chiefs players have served as the focus of designs and paintings.
Inside Oropeza’s basement studio, works featuring Patrick Mahomes decorate the walls.
His most recent painting, featuring both Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, all began during the team’s playoff run.
“What I want to do is try to capture that moment,” he said. “I really enjoy doing the skin tones and working with the eyes, the face and the helmets.”
Other murals and displays can be found in areas like Union Station and Westport.
With even more projects possibly happening if the team wins the Super Bowl, Oropeza told 41 Action News that art was helping to show the power of team spirit.
“The Chiefs are very inspirational as a team and it puts a little spark underneath me to help me keep going,” he said.
