Apps, Maps and Free Guided Walks

Fourteen street artists from around New Zealand and one from as far afield as Melbourne descended on K’ Road last month.  Their mission; to put their creative mark on Auckland’s quirky, character precinct.  Although known as an arty, alternative area, “for some reason very few artworks have been painted in K’ Road,” says Precinct Manager Barbara Holloway.  It’s been her dream to rectify this situation.  So when local artist and curator of Taupo’s Graffiato festival Ross Liew joined K’ Road Business Association’s committee last year, this dream moved closer to reality.

A bit of budget tweaking interspersed by conversations with potential sponsors followed, allowing the KBA to come up with bare bones funding for a street art festival.  Ross, meanwhile, assisted by First Thursdays founder Cleo Barnett, set about selecting the cream of the country’s street artists to take part in it.  His criteria for participants - a record of reliability and quality in the execution of their artwork.  “I think it’s important that, if you’re offering these opportunities to artists that, in my mind, they’ve earned it,” he says.

With building owners persuaded to provide a variety of walls throughout the district, May 3 saw 14 creatives begin their three-day All Fresco Festival challenge.  And challenged they were, when some of the worst weather to hit the country this year descended on them.  Undeterred, with some working through the night and on over a five-day stretch, each doggedly completed their brief.  The result – 13 large scale artworks (with one piece worked on by two artists) and an event which captured the interest of hundreds, including local media and TV.

“I’m stunned that we pulled it off,’ says Barbara.  We’re quite a small business association and the fact that we’ve managed to pull off something on this scale is quite breathtaking.”

A map of the decorated walls is available at alfresco.co.nz for downloading enabling people to take a self-guided walk of them.  The website also provides background information on participating artists including Wellington’s BMD crew, known for their large format works and American born Aucklander Mica Still, who exhibits a penchant for animal illustrations.  A link for an app which includes the map, artist’s biographies and photos of completed artworks will also be available for downloading and free guided walks are planned.