Street art returns to skate park

In the lead-up to the activation, local artists Sonya Else and Ellen Lee will host workshops where participants will create collaborative artworks to be unveiled at the skate park event.

Campaspe Shire Council arts and culture co-ordinator Kris Tito said the activations were a positive outcome of last year’s Ripple Fest.

“It was the Rochy Mural Festival folks who suggested doing something for that weekend and then chatted with Matt, and Matt said, ‘Yes, let’s do it,’” she said.

“Ripple Fest was a one-off sort of event, but there have been all these amazing things that have come out of it — like this project, which is actually permanent, the graffiti wall with Matt.”

Last year, participants of all ages contributed to the street art wall under the guidance of Retayner, with the project co-ordinated by Mr McMillan.

The wall was installed to give local art lovers the opportunity to try street art in a safe and welcoming space, and it has since become a permanent fixture at the skate park.

Mr McMillan, who initiated the original event, said he wanted to create a space where local creatives could gather.

“It can be a little bit hard growing up in a small country town if you’re creative and not necessarily sports-orientated,” he said.

“It’s about creating a space where people, especially young people, can express themselves and feel like they belong.”

The Rochester Mural Festival will run from Saturday, March 21 to Saturday, March 28.

During the week, visitors can take part in the Ripple Fest Shire Hall Creative Workshops, running from Wednesday, March 25 to Friday, March 27, from 10.30am-4.30pm daily at Rochester Shire Hall.

On Saturday, March 28, from 12.30pm-5.30pm, the skate park will come alive with music and art.

Retayner and Mr McMillan will be joined by DJ Coby and Jam in the Van, who will provide some music on the day.

The collaborative pieces created during the workshops will be displayed during the skate park activation.