Art festival a real treasure

After a week of public painting, the winning artists in the 2015 Katikati Open-Air Art festival mural competition will be named this afternoon.

For the past six days, five artists have been painting murals under the public gaze, in the contest which marks 25 years since the town's first murals were installed.

Each artist has created a mural based on their interpretation of the contest's theme 'Nga Taonga o Aoetaroa – the natural treasures of New Zealand” and as well as the official judges, the public have been able to vote for their favourite too.

This is the fifth biennial mural festival which focuses on art in its many forms from street theatre and entertainment, to pavement art, to an exhibition of paintings, to floral art, environmental projects and even kite flying.

Yesterday, was the biggest yet for the festival with the town busy with locals and visitors enjoying a craft market in Diggelmann Park, sculpture and photographic displays, The Thames Valley Floral Art Group competition in the former fire brigade building, leather work display and the Katikati Art Expo in the memorial hall.

Katikati Open-Air Art president Steve Graveson says since the organisation was founded in 1989 to help create a change in the small rural town, feeling the negative impacts of downturn in the kiwifruit and dairy industries, 60 artworks are now displayed on the walls and in the public spaces around the town.

'This year's festival theme is an opportunity for artists to highlight the natural treasures our country has been blessed with and it is also a time to remind us and show the importance of caring for them and making sure they are still around for future generations.”

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Ross Paterson says the biennial festivals are a credit to the Katikati Community, Steve Graveson and his organising committee, Katch Katikati for its excellent promotional and organisational support of the festival and the local businesses which have got behind the venture.

The winning murals will be announced at an event at the Katikati College from 5.30pm to 8pm today.

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