TWO new York enterprises are uniting on Thursday for a launch event from 7pm to 11pm in celebration of new menus and new art, topped off by a live DJ set.

The Artillery, an initiative that curates bespoke art exhibitions, and Arras, the new fine-dining restaurant in the former Le Langhe premises on Peasholme Green, are combining to present a massive new mural by Leeds artist Nicolas Dixon.

"There's a lot of 'new' in there, but that's the vibe we've harnessed," says Artillery director Ails McGee. "We didn't set out to disrupt the relationship between fine dining and art, but the synergy between Arras and its vision to be unique and the crackling creativity of our leading artist Nicolas Dixon has taken on a life of its own.

"We thought the best way to celebrate it was to launch it with an event that reflected the bespoke spirit of the project. So we'll have DJs, a live Facebook feed, radio coverage and a big party."

Fresh from his urban-influenced work being featured in the American edition of Marie Claire USA, Nicolas Dixon has relished his time in York and is delighted with how his art lends itself to the restaurant's interior.

"It's been a five-week mission," he says. "The mural flows throughout the interior, spread over two floors, and is linked through the hallway. I've pretty much finished it but have deliberately left a little to complete on the night, as a kind of performance piece. Then there's live coverage from my Leeds studio neighbours Mike Stockell and Hamish Cole, of KMAH radio, and a live video streamed through Facebook, all finished off with live electronica from Dawkins & Wullls.

"Dawkins has just finished working with Leeds singer Corinne Bailey Rae and Nightmares On Wax, and Wulls is the man for electronica and hip-hop. It's a multi-faceted event and it fits with the nature of the collaboration."

Émilie-Rose Nédey, co-director of The Artillery, is enthusiastic about the collaboration's further possibilities. "Though there are a lot of elements here, it has at its heart timeless building blocks that make it an important portfolio for us," she says. "A great old building, the Old Coach House; some sparky street art from Nicolas, and inimitable food from the Arras team.

"We're already talking to Make it York, York St John University, York College and accountants Spencer Woods to diversify with similar projects in the future. In many ways, The Artillery provides a new way of looking at art, curating it, hiring it, but as you'll see with this collaboration, at its core is top-quality creativity, in this case with both art and food, which is pretty timeless."

Arras co-owner Adam Humphrey adds: "We're excited by what is a very well suited collaboration. We've always ended up being a different destination, and this artwork has strengthened that."

Art and Arras opens at Arras restaurant on Thursday; places at the launch are limited, so you are advised to contact hello@theartillery.co.uk for information on tickets.