Awards paint bright future

Published on 20 May 2024

Frankston’s burgeoning reputation as the capital of the south-east continues to soar with the latest additions to our street art portfolio winning acclaim.

This year’s Big Picture Fest — an annual celebration of colour and art featuring the world’s best street artists — has again delivered striking and fresh street art, while Frankston’s Street Art Walking Tours have won gold in the Australian Street Art Awards for three consecutive years.

The recognition comes as Frankston City reinvigorates its development campaigns under a single, consolidated banner, Imagine Frankston.

Mayor Nathan Conroy said new art pieces created for this year’s Big Picture Fest by Jeks (USA), Marcus Debie (Netherlands), URSH (Germany) and local talent Danny Legs, as well as others, are contributing to the remarkable transformation of Frankston.

“A canvas for some of the world’s most talented and creative street artists, Frankston is an arts and events destination — highlighting its growing status as the capital of the south-east.

“Few regions are experiencing the staggering level of change and growth that Frankston City is currently seeing, with a new climate of development, revitalisation, commerce, events, arts and cultural activities.”

Artists lauded this year’s Big Picture Fest, adding they couldn’t wait to return. Marcus Debie (Netherlands), who created ‘Frank and Kat’ at Park Lane, said: “Big thanks to the Big Picture Fest for making this wall happen and a pleasure to meet all the other great artists involved in this festival. We definitely want to come back to Australia next year!”

Melbourne artist Danny Legs captured our rail history for his piece ‘The Frankston Interchange’ at Olsen Street. “Not only is this mural a dedication to rail history but also a juxtaposition of today’s consumerism versus a bygone era of a time when things were built with thought, pride and to withstand the test of time. I had such a fantastic time painting at this festival.”

Council Manager Arts and Culture, Tammy Ryan, said: “After our famous Street Art Walking Tours have won gold winning again in 2023, Frankston is the first destination to be welcomed into the Australian Street Art Awards Hall of Fame! Residents and visitors can wander the streets to discover iconic images of the Frankston’s past, incredible visual storytelling and celebrate Frankston’s urban culture.”

Mayor Conroy added Frankston’s Destination Events Strategy underscores the commitment to attract new and grow existing destination events to further position Frankston as a creative city.

“Events like the popular Waterfront Festival, Big Picture Fest, South Side Festival and favourites such as Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights showcase our wonderful City.

“We offer a distinct and compelling mix of city experiences, stunning coastline and bushland. Through our Destination Events Strategy we’re realising a vision of Frankston as a leading creative events destination — an artists’ mecca in a location like nowhere else, a city by the sea.

“Our distinctly Frankston event experiences spark creativity, captivate imaginations, and challenge perceptions.

“Frankston’s events transform our City’s identity, creating opportunity and generating economic growth and prosperity for all, as well as enhanced wellbeing and enviable lifestyle.”