Wellington's Latest Drive by Art Banners Hit the Street with Colourful Connections from around the Globe

Over two dozen new works of art, each painted on a large vinyl street banner, have been created by members of Wellington's ethnic and international communities. These banners, commissioned in partnership with local multi-cultural group, Colourful Connections, have now been installed in the CBD. Wellington's Latest Drive by Art Banners Hit the Street with Colourful Connections from around the Globe

Over two dozen new works of art, each painted on a large vinyl street banner, have been created by members of Wellington's ethnic and international communities. These banners, commissioned in partnership with local multi-cultural group, Colourful Connections, have now been installed in the CBD.Residents and visitors, on foot or in vehicles, can now experience this art gallery on the street -- from Cable Street, Jervois Quay, and Customhouse Quay. A second series of 25 banners, designed by local schools to celebrate world cultures, was more recently installed along Oriental Parade.

"These bold and eye-catching banners reveal Wellington's creative diversity, and represent the multitude of international identities of our city," said Community Arts Assistant, Seamus Arnel. "We hope that thousands of residents, commuters, and pedestrians will get a better look at the ethnic nationalities represented in our cosmopolitan city."

The Colourful Connections banners also help the Capital City celebrate 2005 Race Relations Day, and have been created in conjunction with the CrossOver exhibition opening on 21 March at the Academy of Fine Arts. Participating artists come from as far away as the UK, Cambodia, China, Colombia, The Netherlands, India, and Iraq. With others from Japan, Australia, American Samoa, Austria, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. They are joined by several Kiwi artists, who round out this incredibly diverse group.

Drive by Art is a Wellington City Council public art initiative developed by Recreation Wellington, with generous support from local businesses, Resene and Flagmakers. To date, over 100 local artists and schools have participated, each creating a new work of art for our city streets. After only its first year of existence, Drive by Art was honoured with the NZ Creative Places Award in 2004.

"The original works of art keep getting better and better, and the streets of Wellington keep getting more colourful and interesting," said Community Arts Co-ordinator Eric Holowacz, who developed Drive by Art as a way to bring new creative elements to the City's built environment. "The next time you visit Wellington's Waterfront, look up. A vibrant, cultural, exciting city will reveal itself with Drive by Art."

Drive by Art Colourful Connections: now on the streets of Wellington, through August 2005. Special thanks to our Drive by Art sponsors: Resene and Flagmakers, two Wellington-based companies who care about the creative community. For more information about Drive by Art, please contact Seamus Arnel, Community Arts Projects Assistant, 04 385 1929, or seamus.arnel@wcc.govt.nz