Mall a massive canvas for street art festival

Armidale’s Beardy Street Mall will become an art mecca on Saturday 6 April when two international artists transform the space as part of the inaugural Colour New England Street Arts Festival.

Chalk artist Rudy Kistler specialises in complex three-dimensional illusions and murals and will metamorphosize the mall with his latest creation.

“Rudy’s art is always entertaining and engaging and he loves working in the community on performance artworks,” Colour New England Street Arts Festival spokesperson Hayley Ward said.

“He will start his fun and interactive artwork early in the morning and is aiming to be finished in time for the festival’s official opening at 2pm.

“Come down to the mall to see the artwork take shape and talk to Rudy about his work.”

Community members are encouraged to take and post selfies tagged #colournewengland

Rudy will then host a chalk workshop from 3pm. Registrations will open at 9am in the mall, while Rudy works, and participant numbers will be limited, so be sure to sign up early.

While the chalk piece takes shape, Armidale-raised street artist CRISP will create a new mural in Cinders Lane. His beautiful, large-scale image on the back of the Boobooks building will reflect the colours and mood of the New England region.

CRISP has drawn, painted, sculpted, pottered, carved and photographed since he was very young, creating anything he could as a form of personal expression.

After studying and working in Sydney, he spent 10 years working, traveling and creating art in the UK, Europe, Asia, North and South America, before starting his successful street art career in Bogota, Colombia.

For people inspired by Rudy, CRISP and the other performers, the Colour New England Street Arts Festival will offer lots of opportunities to try something creative:

Community art project in Cinders Lane Printmaking Stencil art activities and felt art Play with colour in the Armidale Art Gallery Create a book cover Potter’s wheel demonstration Art making at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Art demonstrations with Aboriginal artist Narmi Collins Face painting and bubble art Armidale Costume & Historical Arts Group Heritage slideshow of yesteryear Live music and belly dancing ‘City Lights’ Charlie Chaplin movie accompanied by pianist Russell Bauer Illuminate Armidale light show extravaganza through the CBD

For times and further information visit Colour New England Street Arts Festival page. 

Published on 20 Mar 2019