Mural artists let creative juices flow at Rotorua symposium

Rotorua residents will have the chance to witness murals being created by talented artists as part of an inaugural symposium.

The Rotorua Mural Symposium runs from this Mondayto next Sunday at The Arts Village Green.

It will be open daily between those dates from 9am to 5.30pm, with lunchtime presentations by the eight artists between 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Event manager Helen English said the theme for the symposium was mud and steam.

"The public will see as the murals are created that this theme has been interpreted in eight very different ways.

"The styles of the art are all very different and the idea is all eight will become public art in the CBD."

The artists, who were selected by a panel, will each produce a mural measuring almost 5m in length by 2.5m in height over a week to be judged on completion.

English said the symposium was a chance for people to become more aware of the process, as they would usually see artwork that had already been made, and to see how different people worked with the same medium.

There will be a People's Choice award, where people can pick up a form and vote for their favourite piece of work.

When people hand in their vote, they are asked to donate a gold coin which will go towards a new outdoor modular stage for The Arts Village.

Three of the artists are Rotorua residents and three are from the wider Bay of Plenty, as well as a former Rotorua resident who lives in Auckland and a couple from Australia.

"All of them are successful in their field."

Next Sundayartists finish their murals at 12pm, there is judging, public viewing and discussions with the artists from 1pm to 2.30pm, and the closing ceremony and awards presentations will take part from 3pm to 4pm.

The symposium is free to attend.

Artist Warren Houston said he was looking forward to working among the other artists.

"The other guys are really talented and I'm looking forward to seeing what they will do too.

"It's always a learning curve. You can learn a lot from what other people do and that's always exciting."

He felt incredibly humbled to be chosen as one of the eight and said it was an amazing feeling.

"I didn't think I would get in so I've won already."

Artist Jacob Chrisohoou said he was looking forward to being able to vibe, chill and talk about art with other talented artists.

He said he was privileged to be part of the first Rotorua Mural Symposium, and to represent both the city and his family.

It was an opportunity for his children to see him in action, especially his eldest daughter who was an artist and stoked for him to get in.

For more information visit the Rotorua Mural Symposium 2017 Facebook page.