Wonderwalls Festival is the latest initiative proving Port Adelaide to be the spiritual home of artistry in Adelaide. With Laneway settling at Hart’s Mill, Moving Music having their final bash there, Renewal SA launching new enterprises, and Vitalstatistix (who knew the Port was cool first) running their incredible theatrical program, ‘Our Port’ is proving itself as the place to be.

Wonderwalls, officially launching on Friday, January 23, is a celebration of street art done on a daringly large scale. The Festival is a collaboration between Renewal SA, The Hours, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Ironlak, and invites mural artists from all around the world to paint to their hearts’ content on the buildings of the historic Port.

 

Local artists Jelena Vujnovic, Vans The Omega join the line-up Sydney’s Beastman, typography wizard Gemma O’Brien and international stars Etam Cru (Bezt and Sainer), Guido van Helten and more.

Over three days (January 23 to 25), the artists will complete their pieces, and engage in talks. The opening on Friday night will allow punters to meet the artists and buy work at a party in the Hart’s Mill Flour Shed (6-9pm). On Saturday, there will be a laneway party, preceded by guided tours, artist talks and live painting. Sundays activities will continue around the regular booking of the Wild At Hart Markets.

The transformation into the dockside town into a walkable, open-air gallery has already begun, with images springing up on Instagram of the works in progress.

Here is a progress update for Etam Cru’s amazing mural! We think this will bring a vibrancy and energy to the streetscape. @sainer_etam @bezt_etam #etamcru #wonderwalls #art #creative #ourportadl #southaustralia #mural #streetart

A photo posted by Our Port (@ourportadl) on Jan 21, 2015 at 12:58am PST

A hidden gem coming together for the wonderwalls festival #wonderwalls #streetart #graffiti

A photo posted by Jay Hann (@strukture_design) on Jan 22, 2015 at 6:44pm PST

Here goes nothin #wonderwalls

A photo posted by Gemma O’Brien (@mrseaves101) on Jan 22, 2015 at 6:38pm PST

Calling all Wonderwalls fans! Here is a snapshot of the mural map which shows where the artists will be painting, as well as food vendors and landmarks in Our Port. To view the full version of the map, visit wonderwallsfestival.com. #streetart #creative #painting #fun #ourportadl #portadelaide A photo posted by Our Port (@ourportadl) on Jan 14, 2015 at 10:56pm PST

For the full program, map and artist bios, check out the Wonderwalls Festival website.

And, what the hell. Why not?

What

Wonderwalls Festival

Where

Port Adelaide

When

Friday, January 23 to Sunday, January 25.

Info

wonderwallsfestival.com