Now in its fourth installment, Boston Calling is experimenting with new ways to get the community involved and amped about the bi-annual music festival (as if the consistently excellent lineup wasn’t enough). To that end, earlier this summer they put out a call for art for their Blank Canvas contest, which challenged local artists to create a mural to be displayed at the fest come Sept. 5. The winning murals are quite different, but all have one thing in common: love for music and this city. We caught up with four of the five winners** to ask about their inspiration — musical or otherwise.

Kyle Hebert, 26, graphic designer

The inspiration?
“Remember when every blank canvas, whether it be the walls of your bedroom or the soles of your shoes, was covered with the artists and musicians that you loved?”

Soundtrack to the art?
“I’m always listening to music while designing. Typically, I listen to artists that I’m going to see in concert soon. Boston has some amazing venues and events, and there are always great bands coming through. There wasn’t a particular song or artist that influenced this project, but I’m sure I listened to the National in preparation.”

Psyched to see live at Boston Calling?
“I’m stoked to see The National for the first time.”

Eric Byers, 19, student

The inspiration?
“The inspiration for my mural can best be summarized by the connection that the festival creates between the city and its people.”

Soundtrack to the art?
“When I’m working on art and design I don’t usually listen to anything in particular. While creating this specific design I happened to be listening to my current favorite artist, Cherub.  No certain song or artist inspired me while I was working—sorry to be boring!— but rather my experience last year at the festival, and what I saw.”

Psyched to see live at Boston Calling?
“I’m most excited to see Lorde this year. But, also, Childish Gambino, The National, Nas, Sky Ferreira, and Bleachers.”

Corey Corcoran, 28, admissions counselor at MassART

The inspiration?
“Really, I’ve always wanted an excuse to draw a duck boat!”

Soundtrack to the art?
“I’m always listening to something when making art. Usually, it’s music or comedy podcasts. I’m a huge fan of WMBR in Cambridge and discover a lot of great music through them. In hammering out the design for the mural, I listened to the new album by the War on Drugs to try to plug into the spirit of Boston Calling.”

Psyched to see live at Boston Calling?
“In addition to the War on Drugs, I love Future Islands – they put on a truly awesome show.”

Michelle Stevens, 17, student

The inspiration?
“All attendees of the festival become connected with the city through being part of this special display of Boston culture, even the performing artists.”

Soundtrack to the art?
“I always have music playing when I’m working on my art, it helps me to get into my own little world and block out distractions. Foster The People is my typical go-to band, their sounds have a way of getting my creative juices flowing. However, the playlist going as I worked on this Blank Canvas mural was heavily the Vaccines, the 1975, Sam Smith, the Pillowmen, and Bleachers. When it gets to be really late at night as I’m working I’ve been putting “Salt” by Bad Suns and the Knocks’ remix of “Girls” by the 1975 on repeat—they keep me awake!”

Psyched to see live at Boston Calling?
“I’m excited to see Bleachers. I saw Jack Antonoff with fun. at the first Boston Calling; I’m looking forward to seeing him as a frontman. I think Strange Desire is a great record. The 1975 is one of my favorite bands—I saw their show at Royale earlier this year, so it will be awesome to see them again in a festival setting. It will be quite an experience to see Lorde. Some others I’m excited for are Gentleman Hall, Lake Street Dive, Childish Gambino and Twenty-One Pilots.”

**The fifth winner, Tim Murley, was out of the country at the time of this piece, so we couldn’t tap him for his inspiration, but you can check out his winning mural below!

For more info and tickets visit bostoncalling.com.