With the Benalla Street Art Festival locking in dates and a new Wall to Wall instalment being promoted on social media, is the Rose City getting two street art festivals in 2024?
The short answer is no. The long answer is also no.
It would appear Wall to Wall, while planning its first festival in several years, hopes to hold it away from the Rose City.
This information was provided by the ‘North E’Art Trail’ Facebook group and confirmed by Benalla Rural City Council.
Wall to Wall founder Juddy Roller also confirmed future events would not take place in the Rose City.
“As you are aware, Benalla has decided to create its own branded street art festival, under new management,” he said.
“As the founders of Wall to Wall festival, it’s with a heavy heart, but also a sense of excitement that we now move forward with the Wall to Wall experience, without Benalla.
“We are excited about the future of Wall to Wall and look forward to sharing the social and economic benefits of the event with other towns and cities in 2024.”
Some confusion arose in the community when a post appeared on the Facebook page @Wall to Wall with the following statement:
“Huge news! Wall to Wall festival will be back bigger and better then ever for 2024! With two new locations locked and loaded, and a third to be announced very soon, we couldn't be more excited or proud of our amazing team!” the post read.
However, those who looked a little closer would have noticed the graphic used, and associated dates, were from 2020.
A Benalla Rural City Council spokesperson said the upcoming Benalla Street Art Festival was a fresh start for one of Benalla’s favourite annual events and would be a departure from the previous Wall to Wall branding.
“While the Wall to Wall festival organisers still seem to be active, we can confirm that Wall to Wall are not running an event in Benalla in 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“Our festival is called the Benalla Street Art Festival and will run from March 21 until March 28 here in Benalla.
“A festival curator and organising committee has been appointed, and we are excited to see a street art festival return to Benalla this year.”