After months of preparation and anticipation, the Benalla Street Art Festival was officially opened by Mayor Danny Claridge on Thursday, March 21.
The opening was held at the Benalla Art Gallery, where the Ensign caught up with Festival Curator Eddie Zammit.
“It’s very exciting,” Eddie said.
“It’s perfect weather. It’s perfect painting weather. There’s a great buzz, and everyone’s gone off to their walls now.”
One of the big-name artists participating in the festival is Sofles, and Eddie said his work at Benalla Art Gallery was well worth a look.
“Sofles has done an installation as part of Benalla Art Gallery’s contribution to the Festival,” Eddie said.
“It’s a nod to the previous exhibition that got closed down due to COVID in 2019.”
Sofles is playing a big role in the festival, and Eddie said the artwork he was currently creating under Benalla Library would be on a scale that a smaller festival would not be able to accommodate.
“He’s got a massive task ahead of him,” Eddie said.
“I’ve been pushing to get the artists to do bigger murals. So we’ve extended the festival to a full week, which is really important.”
Eddie said one of the highlights for him was having six-time Archibald Prize finalist David Bromley involved.
“He’s definitely working very fast. His wall is already looking great,” Eddie said.
“He’s also brought the Bromley & Co (pop-up shop), which is in his gallery, next to his wall (the former NEA building on Bridge St East).
“And we're also doing an exhibition at the visitor information centre, so people can see (that as well as) the film Bromley: Light After Dark.”
Screenings of Bromley: Light After Dark took place on Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, and features an informative Q&A session with David, his wife Yuge Yu, and the director Sean McDonald.
The Bromley & Co pop-up shop is an experience in itself with some incredible artworks on sale, as well as a variety of wares including t-shirts by Bromley and some from Curator Eddie Zammit’s collection.
Eddie said it was difficult to pick his highlight of the festival, but said he was excited to see the artworks come to life.
“And there are official events like The Last Bite - Dining and Exhibition in the Benalla Town Hall with local producer Mark Foletta and (artist) Lisa King,” he said.
“And, of course, the Bromley screenings.”
There’s lots going on in Benalla throughout the festival, which does not finish up until Thursday, March 28.
You can find the full list of mural locations, artists and fringe events at www.benallastreetartfestival.com.au
To book the various fringe events, you will need to reserve your place on the Benalla Street Art Festival website. Please bear in mind this goes for paid and free events, as numbers are limit.