Palmerston: Territory artists lead Palmerston Street Art Festival makeover

Palmerston’s artistic makeover will be led by the satellite city’s emerging street talent, in a massive, two-week transformation. Meet the locals who will leave their mark.

Jesse Bell is one of several locals who will headline at the the Palmerston Street Art Festival this month. Picture: Supplied.

Palmerston is undergoing a major artistic makeover, with homegrown talent bringing life to walls across the satellite city in the coming weeks.

Ahead of the inaugural Palmerston Street Art Festival, organisers confirmed a strong contingent of local talent would accompany an impressive 14-strong artist line-up, tasked to transform the locality.

Local talents include Jesse Bell, Miss Polly (Polly Johnstone) and Izzy Craven, who have already left their mark across various murals in the Top End.

Other Palmerston artists include Snaps (Amanda Stevenson), Riece Hours (Riece Ruohs) and Jason Lee, while Larrakia artist Trent Bundirrik Lee and Darwin local Caleb Dude (Caleb Schatz) will also refashion the area.

City of Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said she was proud that local talent would rub shoulders with some of the nation’s top street artists.

“With just one week until Palmerston’s very first Street Art Festival, I am thrilled to see some of our walls come to life with colour and creativity,” she said.

“We have an incredible line-up, showcasing the talent of many local Palmerston artists in a truly remarkable way, not to mention one of Australia’s top street artists, Sofles, gracing our suburbs.”

Russell Finn, otherwise known as Sofles, has left his mark in the Top End before. Picture: Supplied.

Solfes (Russell Finn) arrives from interstate already familiar with the Top End, having painted the giant mud crab in Austin Lane.

Mr Finn said he hoped his art would evoke emotions in people.

“I believe art should be an important part of the city landscape,” he said.

I want to create public art for people to enjoy, to transform spaces.”

Mr Finn is not the only interstate artists to make the trip north, with Rhenz (Rhenz Flores), KBAR (Kororia Atuahiva), Kimaya Charlton, Willy Hewitt and Bethany O’Shea all locked in to help with the revamp.

Ms Pascoe-Bell said she was excited to see the end product.

“It’s going to be amazing and I’m eagerly anticipating the city’s transformation and the vibrant new energy this festival will bring.”

The 12-day festival aims to connect with up-and-coming artists, with mentor relations expected to develop through the grassroots opportunity.

The Palmerston Street Art Festival runs from Monday June 17 to Saturday June 29.

Caleb Shatz, aka Caleb Dude. Picture: Supplied.

Trent Lee.

Polly Johnston, aka Miss Polly.

Jason Lee.

Izzy Craven.

Amanda Stevenson, aka Snaps.