Festival’s over but the art remains

Street art capital: Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge is loving the Rose City's new murals. Photo by Contributed

Benalla’s streets and laneways have been transformed with 17 remarkable pieces of art thanks to the recent 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival.

At the completion of the much-loved event, Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge thanked the entire community for its overwhelming support and participation.

“The Benalla community has once again demonstrated their unwavering support for the street art in Benalla and the arts more generally,“ Cr Claridge said.

“For this, we are immensely grateful.

“The community’s enthusiasm and engagement has brought vibrancy and life to our streets, welcoming thousands of visitors to our town as we showcased the incredible creativity that our region has become known for.

“The success of the festival wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable contributions of the festival’s numerous stakeholders.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to our event partners, sponsors and the friends of the festival for their generous support, which has been instrumental in making this event a resounding success.”

Last bite: Lisa King's mural on the side of Polished in Bridge St East. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Cr Claridge said the efforts of the Benalla Street Art Advisory Committee, event curator Eddie Zammit, council staff and the dedicated volunteers had been commendable, ensuring the smooth execution of every aspect of the festival.

“I also commend the talented artists whose remarkable pieces of art will adorn the streets and laneways of Benalla for years to come,” he said.

“The Benalla Street Art Festival has not only provided a platform for artistic expression but has also fostered a sense of unity and pride among residents.

“The response from both artists and the community has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the enduring power of art to inspire and connect us.“

The Benalla Street Art Festival was presented by Benalla Rural City Council, curated by Eddie Zammit, and supported by the Victorian Government through the Regional Events Fund.