A Stawell-based street artist has united art lovers from across the globe through a virtual festival sparked by COVID-19 lockdowns.

Peter Voice and fellow Chalk Circle artist Bev Isaac invited creative entries for a week-long Stawell International LOCK-DOWN Street Art Festival, which ran from September 1 to 6. 

The virtual festival aimed to encourage people of all artistic abilities – domestically and internationally – to share their creative works in a Facebook group featuring more than 450 artists and fans.

Mr Voice, a touring artist for more than 30 years, said he wanted to encourage people to explore their inner artists during an extended lockdown period in Victoria. 

“Three weeks ago, I fielded the idea to major festivals I had been invited to in the past in England, France, Mexico and the US, and within 72 hours we had 100 artists from around the world,” he said. 

“Now we’ve got people from more than 25 countries – we’ve got artists from right across Australia and places like Pakistan, Croatia, New Zealand, Turkey, France, North America, Africa and Peru.” 

Mr Voice said it was inspiring to see such a large volume of Wimmera residents eager to be involved. 

“The enthusiasm of people around Stawell has really surprised me – I designed this festival in a way that everybody can have a go and have their work alongside some of the world’s best,” he said.  

“What I hoped for, but didn’t expect, was everyday mums and dads embracing it, which has been delightful.

“To be honest, I don’t think I’ve smiled this much in the past year as I have in the past week.”

Although the festival officially finished on Sunday, the Facebook page remains open for viewing and contributions.  

“It’s ephemeral. Street art is meant to be short-lived and a challenge, but a lot more fun,” Mr Voice said. 

“It doesn’t cost anything, chalk is cheap. It’s just a matter of being creative and trying something silly.” 

Trish Mitchell, along with grand-daughters Ayva and Milla Mitchell, contributed their own piece entitled ‘Anti-virus’. The trio decorated foam balls with cocktail umbrellas. 

After creating them, Mrs Mitchell realised they looked like some of the pictures she had seen referencing the coronavirus. Ayva and Milla added a colourful chalk-art instalment on the pavement to complement the balls. 

“We decided they looked like the COVID-19 virus spores all poking out, but they were colourful, so we called it the Anti-virus sending good vibes rather than bad,” Mrs Mitchell said. 

She said the art festival created an artistic outlet for her grand-daughters during the remote learning period.  

“There’s not much at all in the community at the moment – our girls are normally involved in sport, football, netball, cricket, but they still can’t go and do those now,” she said. 

“They’re only 11 and eight but they’re very active kids – they got out there and did something they normally wouldn’t do.  

“It just gives a perspective of what we can do to brighten someone’s day if they walked by.”

– Dylan De Jong

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