International Mural Fest unveils its brand new look this week in Sheffield, Tasmania’s Town of Murals.
The brief forsenior graphic artist Ashlee Griffiths at Nova Design & Print was simply: fun, festive, and vibrant– everything the popular week-long art competition and festival is renowned for.
And according to Mural Fest president Des Brown, “she’s knocked it out of the park”.
A lover of all things bright and festive, Mr Brown said the vibrant Mural Fest colours jump right off the page now. “It’s everything we wanted and more, and we especially love the dots that represent drops of paint,” he said.
Splattered paint is always a hit, but it’s the Tassie Devil “artist” mascot who steals the show. A huge hit since being created in 2006 by Heather Butterfield of the Blue Gum Gallery, this little cutie is the “star”.
A former member of the Mural Fest committee, Mrs Butterfield said she suggested having a mascot and envisioned him as a Tasmanian Devil characterised as the stereotypical French artist – complete with beret andpalette.
“That’s the way he came into my mind when I had the idea”, she said. “And he never changed.”
Mrs Butterfield said the artist commissioned to draw the mascot really got her vision, perfectly capturing the fun, festive feel.
But there’s nothing fun about the plight of these much-lovedanimals. So, in a gesture of support, the Mural Fest committee will now donate 10% of all monies raised through the Voting Manor and donations to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal.
Mural Fest Voting Manager,Chris Puccetti of Gallery Tasmania and Fudge ‘n’ Good Coffee said he’s delighted about the decision.
“Our family property near Mount Roland has a group of Devils living in our forest”, he said. “We love them being there and hope they will remain healthy and happy.”
“By donating part of the proceeds from our Mural Fest collections, the committee hopes we can raise the profile of this important cause to help save Tassie Devils.”
Echoing this sentiment, Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal Manager Rebecca Cuthill said The Appeal is delighted to be the nominated charity of Mural Fest.
“I thank the organisers,” Ms Cuthill said. “Harnessing this community support is vital if we are to ensure that our Tasmanian Devil will survive in the wild for the generations to come”.
“All the money raised at Mural Fest will go towards supporting key research and management projects that are seeing exciting and encouraging results being achieved for our beloved icon,” she said.
To celebrate our beloved icon, a ‘Name the Mural Fest Tassie Devil’competition will run over the Mural Fest week. So put your thinking hats on kids and drop your entry in at the Voting Manor in Mural Park from March 31 to April 6.
With International Mural Fest hitting new heights every year, and their loveable mascot sporting a new name,the famous short-tempered Looney Tunes character Tazmay now have some competition.And thislittle character paints a much brighter picture.
Fans of real Tasmanian Devils will get the chance to see one in Mural Park on Saturday, April 6. All details on the Mural Fest website at www.muralfest.com.au
Download:
New_Mural_Fest_look.pdf
Danielle Rodgers
