Big Picture Fest
Big Picture Fest
The University of Newcastle is excited to take to the streets with The Big Picture Fest in a celebration of creativity throughout our city.
The Big Picture Fest is a major international street art activation celebrating the exceptional talent and creative methods of artists, bringing them together to work alongside our amazing local talent on large scale murals in the city. Held biannually, Big Picture Fest is an ongoing public exhibition of large-scale murals displayed throughout Newcastle city.
In 2023, The University of Newcastle’s Music Conservatorium was selected as one of the buildings to be included in The Big Picture Fest line-up and now proudly displays a monochrome artwork piece designed by Australian multidisciplinary artist, Georgia Hill.
Georgia’s work now joins the work of Sydney based artist Inari whose 2020 portrait mural of Alex Walsh is proudly displayed on the side of University House, facing NUspace.
Alongside Big Picture Fest, the University of Newcastle helped support the Crosspoint Mentor program, led by the inclusive, community-based organisation, Queer & Now. Queer & Now worked with local artist, Bronte Naylor, to mentor four local emerging artists, including our some of our university students, to help bring their mural ideas to life and on display within the Newcastle community.
Previously, the University sponsored Indigenous artist and alumna Jasmine Miikika Craciun to create a mural as part of this festival. Facilitated through Out(fit), Jasmine used community consultation with local preschools to help inform her mural design, which will focus on women and children in Newcastle.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, Nathan Towney, said “to see our graduates go on to work in the creative field and create art that provides the community with a lens into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is something that makes our University extremely proud.”
You can collect a map from Newcastle Visitor Information Centre and hit the streets to enjoy these amazing works at any time of the year – free and accessible to all. A downloadable map can be found here.
Artist Georgia Hill, painting on the wall of the Conservatorium of Music
Artist Michael Black painting a mural located at 15 Gibson St
University of Newcastle Students Live painting Crosspoint on the cnr of King & Auckland St
Artist Liana Goninon, live painting at Crosspoint - image by Lee Illfield
University of Newcastle student, Nick Barlow, live painting at Crosspoint
Local artist Goya Torres, painting large mural at the rear of 239 King St
University of Newcastle student, Lee Corbett, live painting at Crosspoint
Final wall from Live Painting "Crosspoint" manage by the University of Newcastle - image by Lee Illfield
The Big Picture Fest, featuring Queer & Now's Crosspoint Mentor Program 1:23
Alumna Artist - Jasmine's Story 1:23
Want to learn more about the Big Picture Fest?
Interested in a career in the arts?
Check out some of the degrees that might suit your interests.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.