First Palmerston Street Art Festival kicks off with Miss Polly, KBAR

Palmerston is set to get a few fresh licks of paint over the coming weeks as its first Street Art Festival kicks off.

Palmerston’s first street art festival will give the “young” city a vibrant new look.

There are 14 walls slated for paint in the city and 13 of the artists involved call the Territory home.

Renowned NT artist and Palmerston local Polly Johnstone – aka Miss Polly – has used the city’s youth as a key theme for her mural on the side of Palmerston Shopping Centre, facing Chung Wah Tce.

The colourful painting draws inspiration from a piece she completed as a child – her younger self also features in the mural, as well as a young boy who represents both of her sons.

Artist Polly Johnstone – known as Miss Polly – kicks off the first Palmerston Street Art Festival in 2024. Her mural is based on a painting she did as a child, and includes a portrait of her younger self and an amalgamation of her two sons. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Artist Polly Johnstone – known as Miss Polly – kicks off the first Palmerston Street Art Festival in 2024. Her mural is based on a painting she did as a child, and includes a portrait of her younger self and an amalgamation of her two sons. Picture: Sierra Haigh

“I’m really fortunate that I actually worked here in Palmerston as an art teacher, and now I work in the city,” she said.

“(I’m) really loving working with young people and seeing the amazing and creative ideas that they have.”

Ms Johnstone said it took two days to lay the foundation for her mural, and she hopes to finish the piece in another two days.

Budding Palmerston artist Kororia Atuahiva – or KBAR – said the wall she would cover in an anime-themed mural was the largest she had painted on before.

The outlined plan for Ms Atuahiva’s mural depicts characters from Dragon Ball Z and will also include imagery from Pokemon and Spirited Away.

Artist Kororia Atuahiva – known as KBAR – kicks off the first Palmerston Street Art Festival in 2024. Her mural is anime themed. Picture: Sierra Haigh

“I thought I’d do something that I’ve always done as a kid – I started drawing Dragon Ball Z and anime mostly,” she said.

“I finally took the opportunity and put it up on the wall, get it out of the scrapbook.”

The Palmerston Street Art Festival runs from June 17-29.

The final day will be celebrated with a party, including music, workshops, food, and entertainment.

It comes with the support of Proper Creative – who have run the Darwin Street Art Festival for eight years – as well as Activate Darwin and the City of Palmerston.