Mural Fest
is Sheffield’s truly unique art competition where you will see nine artists engaged in a paint-off to complete a mural in just six and half days. Each artist (who could be from Australia or overseas) must complete a 2100mm-high x 4800mm-wide mural, using the same poem as their mural’s central theme and inspiration. A new poem is selected each year, meaning no two Mural Fests are ever the same. At the end of the paint off week, a panel of qualified judges decides the winner of the event’s major prize, The Mural Fest Judge’s Award.
In 2010 the Wilderness Gallery Judges’ Choice Award was a tie between Julian Bale, a well -known Tasmanian artist from Penguin (see left), and Marc Spijkerbosch,(see below) twice previous winner from New Zealand. Because of the generous donation of a second $6000 by Brian Inder of Tasmazia, both artists received the full prize money.
Mural Fest is conducted at Mural Park, Sheffield’s very own outdoor art gallery, and visitors are encouraged to visit throughout the week to cheer on their favourite artist, and cast a vote for the Visitor’s Award which is presented at the end of each Mural Fest.
If you can’t make it while Mural Fest is on, you can still see the murals during the next twelve months, as all murals remain on display till the following Mural Fest. At the same time you can cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award which will be presented at the following Mural Fest.
More information about Mural Fest, including photos of the winning entries from previous years and information about the next Mural Fest (including how to enter!) can be found here
