What is Mural Fest?

International Mural Fest is a truly unique art competition that is held annually in Sheffield - Town of Murals, in Tasmania, Australia. In 2010, The Wilderness Gallery International Mural Fest begins on April 4 and concludes on April 10.

The Wilderness Gallery International Mural Fest sees nine artists engaged in a public paint off over 6.5 days. Each artist must complete a 2100mm x 4800mm mural, using the same poem as their mural’s central theme and inspiration. Each year a new poem is selected, meaning no two Mural Fests are ever the same. The competition is conducted in Mural Park – Sheffield’s very own outdoor art gallery.

Artists are subjected not only to public scrutiny and time constraints during the paint-off week, but also to the sometimes unpredictable Tasmanian weather! National Mural Fest therefore tests not only artistic skill, but also endurance and tenacity.

At the end of the paint off week, a panel of qualified judges decides the winner of the event’s major prize, The Mural Fest Judge’s Award. In 2009 this will be a prize of $6000.

During the paint off week, visitors and supporters who come to Mural Park to view the progress are encouraged to vote for their favourite artwork. At the end of the week, the votes are tallied and the artist whose painting receives the most votes is awarded The Mural Fest Visitors Award. This is a prize of $1000.

What happens after Mural Fest?

All murals remain on display in Mural Park until the next National Mural Fest, approximately 12 months later. People who visit Sheffield during this period delight in viewing the completed murals and learning about the unique competition.

These visitors are also asked to vote for their favourite artwork, but this time the vote is conducted over the 12 month period. The artist whose painting receives the most votes over this extended period is awarded The Mural Fest People’s Choice Award. This is a prize of $2000 for the 2008 competition. This prize is awarded at the 2009 Wilderness Gallery International Mural Fest presentation ceremony.

With the exception of The Mural Fest Judge’s Award painting, all other murals are available for purchase via negotiation with the artist. The mural which wins The Mural Fest Judge’s Award is acquired by Tas Regional Arts - Kentish. It is placed on public display in Sheffield once the 12 month display period in Mural Park is complete.

How are the nine Mural Fest artists selected?

In the months leading up to National Mural Fest, the organising committee Tas Regional Arts - Kentish sets a theme poem and then calls for expressions of interest from artists.

To be considered for one of the nine ‘finalist’ positions, artists must complete a miniature of their proposed mural and submit it to the committee. Once the expression of interest period closes, nine finalists are selected from the entries submitted. Those artists are then invited to take part in the public paint off.

For more information about entering Mural Fest, see our COMPETE page.

Why a Mural Fest?

Sheffield is internationally renowned as Australia’s Town of Murals. Since the first mural was started in 1986, more than 40 others have followed. Sheffield is on a prime touring route to Tasmania’s iconic Cradle Mountain National Park. Thus the Town of Murals has become popular and earns high praises from visitors who pass through.

The common theme through Sheffield’s murals is that they reflect the history of this beautiful, idyllic part of Tasmania. These murals are based on real characters – pioneers, farmers, community leaders – and real stories and events of the past.

Following on from the development of Sheffield’s historic murals, it was decided that opportunity was needed for contemporary public artworks to be part of the Town of Mural’s colourful landscape. National Mural Fest, a truly unique and inclusive public art competition, provides this opportunity.