For Shepparton’s Tommy Day, the opportunity to take part in a street art festival close to home was a no-brainer.
Day has been given a wall on the side of Benalla’s Senior Citizen’s Centre, and its location near the river has informed its design.
“(Curator) Eddie (Zammit) approached me to be part of the festival,” Day said.
“I’ve known him for a bit, and we’d always hoped to do something together.
“So when the opportunity came, I said absolutely.”
Day said when it came to choosing a design, he wanted to try something new.
“It’s a style I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and the influence comes from the location of the mural.
“It will focus on the river, the gum trees, and the gum leaves. And some of the features that exist within the river as well.
“It’s viewed through a cultural lens. An Aboriginal lens, based on this area.”
Day said he used to love to attend Wall to Wall and was disappointed when COVID-19 led to a hiatus.
“I’ve been to all of them, and I’d always hoped that maybe one day I could take part.
“So it’s great for me, but it’s also great for the community and great for the region.
“And to bring it back with this type of line-up, with world-class artists, is amazing.
“Even the weather’s nice.”
Day said he’d be painting throughout the festival and is happy to have a chat with attendees about his process and mural.