The 2024 Benalla Street Festival is just here, and organisers have been busy planning a range of engaging side events.
Official opening — Thursday, March 21, from 9.30am to 10.30am
Location: Benalla Art Gallery.
Cost: Free.
A ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony precedes the official opening by Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge and the unveiling of a public installation by Sofles.
Taste of Art: Mosaics — Thursday, March 21, from 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Heart of Art Benalla, 22a Carrier St.
Cost: $5.
Explore creativity at the community artists’ hub and enjoy refreshments at EdSpace Café, run by Hands-on-Learning students.
Taste of Art - Card making — Friday, March 22, from 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Heart of Art Benalla, 22a Carrier St.
Cost: $5.
Explore creativity at Benalla’s community artists’ hub and enjoy refreshments at EdSpace café, run by Hands on Learning students.
Graffiti your name — Friday, March 22, from 3.30pm to 5pm
Location: Benalla Art Gallery.
Cost: Free.
Experiment with basic graffiti lettering techniques such as bloc shadow, bubble and 3D lettering. See your name come to life in graffiti style. Open to all ages.
Theresa’s Bouquet paint party — Friday, March 22, from 8pm to 8.30pm
Location: Gaynor Jillian Studios, 50 Nunn St.
Cost: $65 per person, limited to 16 places.
Unwind and express your creativity in a space dedicated to relaxation and self-expression.
Street art trivia night — Friday, March 22, from 7pm to 9pm
Location: The Northo, 1 Nunn St.
Cost $10.
Grab your mates and a meal before heading into the ‘trivia den’ for a fun-filled night, led by host Aaron Cusack. The entry fee will go into the prize pool for the winner.
The last bite - dining and exhibition experience — Friday, March 22, from 7pm to 10.30pm
Location: Benalla Town Hall, 82 nunn St.
Cost: $200 per person.
Enjoy an immersive culinary and artistic experience at Benalla’s Town Hall. Featuring a seated dinner accompanied by perfectly paired wines. This is a collaborative venture between artist Lisa King and local producer Mark Foletta.
Paint your own ‘Sipsquad’ cup — Saturday, March 23, from 9am to 1pm
Location: Benalla Lakeside Market, 2 Fawckner Dve
Cost: $20 per cup.
A great activity presented by Benalla’s Full Impact Squad, a program for 11-19-year-olds who want to make a difference to the wellbeing of young people in Benalla, under the guidance of the Tomorrow Today Foundation.
Benalla Broken River Painters Art Show — Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, from 10am to 4.30pm
Location: Benalla Scout Hall, 14 Lowry Place.
Cost: Free.
A selection of 60 works will be for sale by members of the group.
Art Attack Kids Zone — Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, from 11am to 4pm
Location: Splash Park, 14 Mair St.
Cost: Free.
Family-friendly chillout zone with arts and crafts activities, playground, splash park and boulder climbing wall. Sponsored by Tomorrow Today Foundation.
Street Art Walking Tours:
Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, from 11am to noon and from 3pm to 4pm. Thursday, March 28, from 11am to noon and from 3pm to 4pm
Location: Visitor Information Centre, 14 Mair St.
Cost: $5 (Kids free) (Strictly limited to 20 people per session).
Explore Benalla’s latest range of 2024 festival walls only. Please wear comfortable shoes, wear a hat and bring water.
Collaborations, commissions and curating — Saturday, March 23, from 4pm to 5pm
Location: Benalla Art Gallery.
Cost: Free.
Intimate discussion featuring artist Melanie Caple and gallery director Eric Nash exploring the processes of creation and curation.
Melbourne Gin Company tasting — Saturday, March 23, from 5pm to 8pm
Location: The Merchant Benalla, 28 Bridge St East.
Cost: Free.
Sample some amazing tipples at this MGC pop-up.
Stand-up Comedy Night - Open Mic — Saturday, March 23, from 7pm
Location: Farmer’s Arms Hotel.
Seeking to uncover the region’s funniest, untapped comedians. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at comedy, now is your chance. $250 cash prize.
Street set with DJ Stak — Saturday, March 23, from 7pm to 10pm
Location: Benalla Art Gallery
Cost: Free
Enjoy cool beats with local identity DJ Stak as the sun sets over Lake Benalla.
The Last Bite - Art and Canapes — Saturday, March 23, from 7pm to 10.30pm
Location: Benalla Town Hall, 82 Nunn St.
Cost: $50 p/p.
Street artist Lisa King and local producer Mark Foletta present a unique culinary and artistic experience in the magnificent Benalla Town Hall, built in 1883.
This pop-up adventure flawlessly weaves together art, gastronomy and music, creating a seamless celebration of creativity and culture. The Last Bite guarantees an indelible blend of flavours, visuals and melodies.
Saturday night features drinks and canapes utilising local produce sourced by Mr Foletta, accompanied by perfectly paired wines, music, and an immersive art installation.
The last bite discussion panel — Sunday, March 24, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Benalla Town Hall.
Cost: Free.
Vault Magazine’s Grace Sandles will lead a panel discussion on Sunday afternoon with artist Lisa King and local producer Mark Foletta about their collaborative Last Bite exhibition project.
The pair will be accompanied by some of the other local sustainable producers that helped to contribute produce to the event.
Farmer’s Arms - Tank’s Art and Ale Workshop — Sunday, March 24, from 2pm to 5pm
Location: Farmer’s Arms Hotel.
Cost: $60p/p (Limited to 40 places).
Renowned Shepparton artist Tank (of Moooving art fame) will guide you through how to take home a painting you’re proud of. All materials, first drink and nibbles included.
Benalla Cinema: Bromley - Light After Dark — Sunday, March 24, and Monday, March 25, from 8.30pm to 10pm
Location: Benalla Cinema, Visitor Information Centre, 14 Mair St.
Cost: $30p/p (Limited to 60 tickets).
A first-hand glimpse of David and Yuge Bromley’s world shot through the lens of Sean McDonald. All three will be there for the screening and will feature in a talk panel after the movie.
Taste of Art - Fabric Art — Monday, March 25, from 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Heart of Art Benalla, 22a Carrier St.
Cost: $5 (Limited to five places).
Explore creativity at our community artists’ hub and enjoy refreshments at EdSpace Café, run by Hands-on Learning students.
Artist Meet and Greet: James MacSporran — Monday, March 25, from 3pm to 4pm
Location: Benalla Art Gallery.
Cost: Free.
Coinciding with his Gallery Shop exhibition, Emerging from the Mist, Benalla Art Gallery and Arts Project Australia invite you to a social meet and greet with aerosol artist James MacSporran. Refreshments provided.
Street Art Trivia Night — Monday, March 25, from 7pm - 9pm
Location: The Northo, 1 Nunn St.
Cost: $10 p/p.
Grab your mates and a meal before heading into the ‘Trivia Den’ for a fun-filled night led by host Aaron Cusack. $10 each to go into a pool for the winner.
Taste of Art - Beadwork and Jewellery — Tuesday, March 26, From 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Heart of Art Benalla
Cost: $5 (Limited to 5 places).
Explore creativity at Benalla’s community artists’ hub, run by Hands-on Learning students.
The past, present and future of graffiti — Tuesday, March 26, from 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Location: The Northo (function room), 1 Nunn St.
Cost: Free.
Gain insights into the past, present and future of graffiti through the discussions of four artists. Talk panels offer visitors a chance to engage in insightful discussions, gain a deeper understanding of the artistry on display, and connect with the creative minds shaping Benalla’s vibrant street art festival.
Benalla Cinema — Martha: A Picture Story, Tuesday, March 26, from 7pm
Location: Benalla Cinema, Visitor Information Centre, 14 Nunn St.
Cost: $12 - $28.50
Meet New York’s legendary, yet unlikely, street art photographer who influenced a whole generation of graffiti artists – and at the age of 75, is still capturing beauty.
David Laity: Underneath Clouds — Open daily
Location: Shop 2/43 Bridge St East.
Cost: Free.
Local spotlight on artist David Laity as he presents his latest body of work.
‘Contemplative Collage’ Party — Wednesday, March 27, from 6pm to 8.30pm
Location: 50 Nunn St.
Cost: 65 p/p (Limited to 12 places).
Unwind and express your creativity in a space dedicated to relaxation and self-expression.
Closing Party — Thursday, March 28, from 6pm - 10pm.
Location: Benalla Library.
Cost: Free.
Celebrate the 2024 Benalla Sreet Art Festival. Enjoy a live DJ, food trucks and drinks immersed by Sofles latest installation.
There is so much going on during the Benalla Street Art Festival we couldn’t fit it all here.
Visit www.benallastreetartfestival.com.au/ for the full program of events, and to book your spot.