Mural artists ready to paint Katikati

American artist Crystal Barbre dwarfed by her mural titled, The Lion Tamer, painted at Jupiter, a new art bar just opened in Seattle.

"I'm excited to come paint in your beautiful town," says Crystal Barbre, who arrived in Katikati this week from the United States.

The Seattle-based visual artist is one of eight contestants in the 2017 Mural Contest that gets underway during Arts Festival week.

"I've never been to Katikati and am so excited to visit.

"New Zealand helps me feel like my soul is full every time I visit."

Crystal says she was inspired to enter the competition because she has fallen in love with doing murals in public spaces and wanted to paint in a place she'd never been before.

"I was lucky to discover the festival in my research and I can't wait to be a part of it."

Traditionally Crystal paints her murals using oils, the same way she would paint a large canvas. She covers the wall with tinted gesso to prime it and then sometimes does an underpainting before doing the color. She says she is looking forward to the challenge of painting with a different technique and medium for the festival.

"It's always a good way to keep pushing yourself as an artist to do something new."
"As a painter I can't pick a favorite color.

"It's always about the color in context that makes it sing," she said.

Open-Air Art hosts the biennial Mural Contest and Arts Festival with Katch Katikati.
Chairman Steve Graveson says this years festival is the biggest yet.

"With the theme based around the children of our community, the organising committee has tried hard to create a real family atmosphere with activities and events that allow participation by all members of our community.

"With a first prize of $7000, we have attracted a very high standard of mural artists this year, and the competition will be very interesting and exciting to watch."

Other mural artists selected for the contest include Australians Frances Wregg and father and son team, Kerry and Jack Nicholson. Kiwi artists Bodhi Vincent from Paraparaumu, Nicholas Hudson from Napier, Mount Maunganui's Shane Walker (2015 Mural Contest and People's Choice winner) and Katikati's Karen Lawson (2013 Mural Contest runnerup) complete the lineup. The artists will be welcomed at an invitation breakfast on Monday.

Steve is confident the Katikati community will welcome the artists and encourage them during the five days they will be painting, especially those visiting from overseas.
Festival coordinator Jacqui Knight is both excited and nervous with so many events being held outside.

"We're in full festival mode and look forward to it getting underway on Saturday and seeing people with big smiles having fun."

Open Air Art encourages everyone to get out and enjoy the eight days of the 2017 New Zealand Mural and Arts Festival.

SEE ARTISTS HERE

Crystal Barbre - Hammer Hardware
Bodhi Vincent - Ambria Restaurant
Frances Wregg - Art, Craft, Mural Shop
Kerry and Jack Nicholson - Festival Hub
Nicolas Hudson - Talisman Hotel
Karen Lawson - Katikati Advertiser
Shane Walker - Cafe @ The Balcony