Local street artists are showcasing their skills in central Cronulla this weekend with the 2022 Walk the Walls festival underway in the Sutherland Shire.
Talented artists such as Tim Phibs, SEKTOR, The Marker, Merindah Funnell, Danny Sixx, EMORS and Mulga are brushing up on their skills and injecting creativity and colour onto the walls of Cronulla.
The Walk the Walls art trail currently includes 40 street and laneway walls featuring different artistic styles including stencils, posters, sculpture, abstract and urban art.
During this weekend's Walk the Walls festival visitors can watch local artists in action as they transform 28 additional sites in Surf Lane, Cronulla Mall carpark, Kingsway, Croydon Street and Cronulla wharves precinct. There is currently a completed promotional mural in Cronulla Park, on the wall of the Cronulla RSL carpark.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said an $88,500 graffiti management grant from the NSW Government has provided continuing support for the hugely successful Walk the Walls project which is expanding to include several new sites in central Cronulla.
"Beautifying public spaces with great street art boosts civic pride, increases feeling of community safety and reduces the incidence of crime such as vandalism and graffiti," Mr Speakman said.
"Walk the Walls has clearly demonstrated that street art transforms spaces for the better and in reducing 'tagging' it saves taxpayers money on endless cleaning while producing a vibrant and exciting streetscape.
"This grant allows local and emerging talented artists to draw on their knowledge and experience to transform public spaces for the enjoyment of the community.
"The NSW Government grant was made under the Graffiti Management Program. Its objectives include preventing and minimising graffiti vandalism and reducing the social, environmental and economic impact of graffiti vandalism."
Mr Speakman reflected on the past success of previous Walk the Walls festivals, which has provided many vibrant, larger than life murals brightening up public spaces.
"The murals from past Walk the Walls festivals in Cronulla and Caringbah have incidentally become popular backdrops for many an Instagram post.
The murals can bring communities together; mark significant moments in time; and inform, inspire and lead people to think in new and different ways about a variety of subjects and issues."
"Applications for funding under the recent Graffiti Management Grant (Western Sydney) and Graffiti Management Grant (Open) closed recently. I look forward to announcing the results of those grant rounds shortly," Mr Speakman said.
The Shire's Walk the Walls festival continues today and tomorrow.
