Live Art in Action: Secret Walls Brings Competitive Creativity to Chicago
A Night Where Creativity Took Center Stage
At Press Play: Creatives, we get to collaborate with some of the most exciting brands and communities, and our recent work with Secret Walls in Chicago was no exception. Known for their high-energy, live-painting battles, Secret Walls has been a global force in street art since 2006, bringing together artists and audiences in a thrilling display of talent and competition.
When The Art of the Competition Tour made its stop in Chicago, we were there to capture every brushstroke, every moment of intensity, and every crowd reaction through both video and photography. Our mission? To showcase the raw energy, creativity, and community spirit that makes Secret Walls so unique.
Inside the Battle: Secret Walls’ Art of the Competition
Secret Walls isn’t just an art event—it’s a movement. Born in the streets of East London, the brand has hosted legendary live-paint battles worldwide, creating an electrifying platform for artists to showcase their skills under intense pressure. The Chicago stop of The Art of the Competition Tour was no different. Held at Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar, the event featured local artists going head-to-head in a 90-minute showdown, with the winner decided by the crowd’s cheers.
The atmosphere was electric—bold strokes of black and white paint collided on massive canvases while DJs kept the energy high, and the audience played an active role in shaping the night’s outcome. It was the perfect blend of competition, creativity, and community, and we knew our role was to translate that into powerful visuals.
Our Role: Bringing the Night to Life Through Video & Photography
Our focus for this project was to capture the full experience of Secret Walls—from the moment the artists stepped up to the canvas to the final reveal of their pieces.
High-Energy Videography – We filmed the battles as they unfolded, using dynamic camera movements to keep up with the fast-paced action. Every brushstroke, reaction, and final reveal was documented to fully immerse viewers in the experience.
Immersive Photography – Our shots didn’t just highlight the artwork; they captured the emotion of the night—the intensity of the competitors, the excitement of the crowd, and the unique atmosphere that makes Secret Walls special.
The Impact: Amplifying the Art & The Artists
With every photo and video edit, we wanted to ensure that Secret Walls’ vision and energy extended beyond the venueand onto social platforms, where a wider audience could experience the event.
✔ Bringing the Community Together – Our content helped showcase the event’s vibrant atmosphere, reinforcing Secret Walls’ mission to unite artists and audiences through competition. ✔ Engaging Fans Beyond the Event – By capturing the most thrilling moments, we created a lasting digital presence that extends the excitement beyond a single night. ✔ Highlighting the Artists – The competitors’ work deserved to be seen far and wide, and our visuals helped celebrate their talent in a way that felt authentic and impactful.
Why We Love This Work
What makes projects like this exciting isn’t just the artwork or the competition—it’s the people behind it. The artists, the fans, the energy in the room—it’s all part of the story.
At Press Play: Creatives, we’re proud to partner with organizations like Secret Walls that bring creativity to life in new and unexpected ways. Whether it’s a live art battle, a festival, or a brand activation, we’re here to capture the moments that matter.
Want to bring your event to life through video & photography? Let’s talk. PressPlayCreatives.com
