Five street artists will be splashing the University of Waikato campus with colour this month in an exciting new collaboration between the University and the Boon Street Art Festival.
The University is hosting Boon on Campus on 16 to 20 November. The murals painted during the festival will add vibrancy to some of the most visible teaching buildings, which largely have plain concrete facades.
Five artists from Waikato and Bay of Plenty will paint six murals around the Hamilton campus, ranging from 2m to 19m long. The week-long event will include activities involving students, staff and the community, including a grand unveiling for each mural on Friday 20 November.
“We’re excited to partner with Boon and showcase the creative talents of some of the best artists in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty,” said University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley.
The festival was the first of three in partnership with Boon over the next five years and was designed to enhance the on-campus experience for students, staff and the wider community.
“Boon on Campus supports our drive to enhance the look and feel of the campus as well as creating more reasons for the community to enjoy the world-class facilities we have. We look forward to the buzz it will bring to the University and the inspiration these impressive works will give our students.”
Boon Trustee Charlotte Isaac said Boon was elated to be working with the University of Waikato to better reflect the young, diverse, creative and enthusiastic people who use the campus.
“Boon has delivered five street art festivals to Hamilton, contributing more than 50 murals to the city. Our next stage of growth is to partner with like-minded institutions like the University of Waikato, who share our aim of making art accessible to everyone. This exciting new relationship allows Boon to connect with students and staff and provide a new way of bringing art to our everyday experience,” she said.
Each artist has submitted a design concept which complements the narrative of the University’s large multi-functional venue The Pā, currently under construction and expected to open mid-2022.
Activities will run during the week between 10am and 2pm, and will include walking tours of sculptures on campus, market days (where local artists sell their crafts on the Village Green) and live music. For more information about the event follow the University’s Facebook event page or check out the website.
All artists welcome those interested in watching the murals develop over the week. The artists are: