Artists in Waterford use the walls of derelict buildings to celebrate street art and brighten the city.
From 21 to 23 August 2015, Ireland's oldest city Waterford, is being transformed into an open air gallery. The Waterford Walls festival celebrates street art as a powerful tool in urban regeneration. The festival has brought artists from around the world to Waterford to stencil, spray, draw, and paint on 25 unused walls and buildings. These derelict sites become the canvases for their imagination.
Mural street artist James Earley, whose family worked in stained-glass in Dublin, has been painting for 18 years. He enjoys street art because,
It's an easily digestible art form for the public, you know it's not elitist.
Waterford Walls organisers are all volunteers. They have the support of the city council, local paint companies and businesses, and the Ireland Fund. Waterford Walls curator Louise Flynn explains that getting the idea off the ground was not difficult, but it has been a lot of work.
For Waterford Walls founder, primary school teacher Edel Tobin, the festival aims to regenerate Waterford with art for everyone.
Taking over these old beautiful buildings that aren't being used and to reuse them and what better way.
Local people are happy the murals are breathing new life into Waterford. Jimmy Grant from Joe Widger Family Butchers thinks,
It's great for the town.
Paul Hallahan is concerned the murals will fade,
We'll need to keep going at this.
It is hoped Waterford Walls will become an annual event.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 August 2015. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.
