Talented artists working hard in Rotorua Mural Symposium

Debbi Tyne has a mixture of colours in her mural. Photo/Shauni James

Talented artists have been pouring their creative juices into their pieces for the inaugural Rotorua Mural Symposium.

The symposium started on Monday and finishes on Sunday at The Arts Village Green. It is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.

The theme for the symposium is mud and steam. It is free to attend.

The artists, who were selected by a panel, will have their work judged on completion.

There is also a People's Choice award. 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.

On Sunday artists must 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 place from 3pm to 4pm.

On Wednesday afternoon, event manager Helen English, said the symposium had been excellent so far.

"They are all very experienced artists who have come into the situation learning even more from each other and the process.

"All the murals are absolutely different and amazing."

Helen said there had been ebbs and flows with people walking through to look at the art work.

She said a group of Toi Ohomai students doing the urban art programme had come through.

"The judges are going to have the most difficult decision of their lives deciding between the eight creations.

"I think when the decisions are announced everyone will be there with bated breath.

"For me, they are all my favourites."

She encourages the public to come along on Sunday and see the artists brandishing their talent infront of an audience.

The accompanying photos were taken on Wednesday.