Pentel, BnA, TokyoDex Announce Open Call for "Pentel × Mural Rookies Project 2026," Third Edition of Mural Artist Development Program

Stationery and art materials manufacturer Astrum Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Junichi Ishigaki, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo), under its "Pentel" brand, in collaboration with art hotel operator BnA Co., Ltd. (Representative: Yu Tazawa, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) and art agency TokyoDex Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Daniel Harris Rosen, Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo), will begin accepting applications on May 13, 2026 (Wednesday) for the "Pentel Mural Rookies Project" (Pentel × Mural Rookies Project), an art project aimed at producing world-class mural artists from Nihonbashi, the birthplace of the "Pentel" brand.

● Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJiG3lldevU-NigIWgLW5WSs1LzWK2_LARyYQ7knx7BfLt-A/viewform

● "Pentel Mural Rookies Project" Official Website: https://www.pentel.co.jp/about/pmrp/

This project, set in Nihonbashi, the birthplace of the "Pentel" brand, is an initiative to discover and support young artists who aspire to global careers through mural art. Started in 2024, the second edition last year received over 250 applications from Japan and abroad, and four selected artist teams created murals at three locations in the Nihonbashi area, including temporary construction enclosures.

This year, the third edition, will also feature four artist teams creating murals at three locations in the Nihonbashi area, including temporary enclosures. Selected artists will receive professional support from rough sketch creation to actual production, using Pentel art materials to create mural works on the walls of Nihonbashi. The approximately two-month program, which is even more enhanced than last year, will newly include a two-day, one-night workshop this year. This workshop aims to deepen understanding of the Nihonbashi area and learn the mural production process through dialogue with Nihonbashi residents and observation of the town. The completed works will be publicly displayed as part of the city's landscape and will provide opportunities for domestic and international visitors to see them through touring events around the murals in Nihonbashi.

Furthermore, the "temporary enclosures in the Nihonbashi area" part of this project has been selected for the "TOKYO CITY CANVAS Grant 2025 Phase 1," implemented by Arts Council Tokyo, as part of the "TOKYO CITY CANVAS" cultural project developed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It is also attracting attention as an initiative that embodies the creation of cultural and social value by corporations.

Through this project, Pentel aims to establish mural art as a new culture that connects cities and people through art, by providing a creative space for young artists under its vision of "Art in everyday life" and creating opportunities for people to gather in Nihonbashi. As a stationery and art materials manufacturer that has fostered people's imagination and creativity, Pentel will open up sites where art is born, promote urban change, and spread a future where people's hearts are moved by art from Nihonbashi, the birthplace of the "Pentel" brand, to the world, thereby bringing art into everyday life.

What is Mural Art? ■

Mural art is a general term for artworks painted on walls, and it is an expressive culture that has developed in various forms over time, from prehistoric cave paintings. In modern times, it has blended into cities as street art, especially in Europe and America, and has become a tourist resource symbolizing cities, serving as a means to visualize local history and social issues. Against this global backdrop, the introduction of mural art by regions and corporations has been progressing in Japan in recent years. The urban environment of Japan, with many large buildings, has a high affinity for mural art, and particularly in Japan, where it is currently difficult to secure studios and production spaces, the city's walls themselves are attracting attention as new creative venues that become canvases.

Mentor to Support Mural Production ■

Selected artists will receive full support from experienced mural artists, from rough sketch creation to actual production. The mentor, continuing from last year, is Tadaomi Shibuya.

<Profile of Tadaomi Shibuya> Born in 1973 in Yokohama City. Graduated from Tama Art University, Department of Design, Spatial Design Major, Product Design Course. An artist/illustrator who works across borders, using his unique world view reconstructed linearly. Has collaborated with numerous global brands, including GIVENCHY's emblem (2008) and NIKE AIR JORDAN CP3.IV visuals (2011). Also, MIZUNO and the Japan national team uniform