About PAINT THE TOWN FESTIVAL
This website began as a way to document and celebrate the murals created through Paint the Town Festival, a street art initiative that transformed the Southern Tablelands with over 50 murals across four locations.
Originally envisioned by Wollondilly-based street artist Joe Quilter, Paint the Town was led by Southern Tablelands Arts (STA), with support from local councils, businesses, and community organizations. Funded by the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, the festival brought colour, creativity, and connection to communities.
From Wollondilly (2022) to Wingecarribee (2023), Upper Lachlan (2023), and Goulburn Mulwaree (2024), Paint the Town brought together nationally established artists working alongside local talent to create public art reflecting the recovery journey since the 2019 Black Summer fires. Each festival site hosted workshops, live events, and community engagement activities, fostering connection and creative expression.
PTT Festival Murals: Co-Designed with the Community
The PTT festival murals were co-designed with fire-affected community members through workshops facilitated by mental health professionals. These sessions provided space for people to share their experiences of loss, pain, hope, and resilience, ensuring their stories became the heart of the murals.
Art Beyond the Walls
Each mural artist also painted an individual artwork inspired by their mural, ensuring the stories extended beyond a single wall. These artworks have been exhibited across the region, allowing even more people to experience the creativity and meaning behind Paint the Town. View the exhibition online.
A Growing Digital Map of Public Art
While this website was born from the Paint the Town Festival, it is now growing into a regional street art map, celebrating all murals—from festival works to independent public art—creating a lasting archive of creativity in the Southern Tablelands.
See It for Yourself
Discover murals near you by exploring our interactive map, a dedicated guide to the stunning public artworks created during Paint the Town and beyond. View Map.
Add Your Mural to the PAINT THE TOWN Map
Have you painted a mural or know of one that should be part of the Paint the Town map? Help us expand the Street Art Tour and celebrate creativity in the Southern Tablelands.
Get in touch to share details about a mural you’d like to add!
