A dingy back lane will be transformed into a spectacular art haven that will make the trendiest Melbournian green with envy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The concept for a new Banna Lane art festival was unveiled over the weekend by the organisers, who are currently in the planning stage of the event.
The 2019 festival will feature large scale art murals across Banna Lane, as well as programs such as artist talks, youth workshops, pop-up art exhibitions and more.
Festival manager Carrah Lymer said the event would entice tourists and bring a splash of colour into the area.
“Banna Lane Festival will do wonders for the local community and the economy,” Ms Lymer said.
“You only have to look at the positive impacts outdoor murals have had on other regional towns and how they create a daily buzz in bigger cities.”
Council has enthusiastically thrown its support behind the event, including CBD Upgrade Working Group committee member Peter Dalla, who said the art festival would be a springboard for further redevelopments.
“We want to see Banna Lane totally revamped,” Mr Dalla said.
“Think of Melbourne and all those little laneways that get used for all sorts of events; eventually we want to see Banna Lane closed on some weekends for theatre, pop-up shops, cafes, live music, all happening here in the rear lane.”
Mayor John Dal Broi said Council was excited at the new initiative, which would give local artists a chance to impress the town with their artwork.
“The art-making is an event in itself, which will attract people to town to watch the art unfold and then stay on to celebrate the launch of the new public art places,” Mr Dal Broi said.
“The completed works become an attraction, adding to our city streetscape and places of interest – encouraging visitors to stay an extra day.”
Artists from all over will be invited to paint the murals during the festival week, and other non-paint-based artists are also encouraged to pitch ideas to the organisers at bannalanefestival.com