THE CBD laneways of Toowoomba have been given a new lease on life over the weekend with world renowned artists taking brush to brick.
Designed to help eliminate illegal graffiti, inaugural street art festival First Coat has certainly given the Garden City something to be proud of, with international and local artists animating large scale, otherwise bare spaces throughout the city.
Caption: Camera-shy Melbourne artist Shida was taking full advantage of his assigned wall on day one of First Coat.
Supported by the Toowoomba Regional Council and GraffitiSTOP and in partnership with Toowoomba Youth Service and Kontraband Studios, First Coat ran over three days from February 21-23.
Sydney-based artist Fintan Magee was excited to be involved in the event after travelling to a similar event in Wollongong.
Mr Magee's work is recognised internationally with the artist moving away from traditional graffiti in recent years to embody a mixture of surreal and figurative imagery (pictured).
Mr Magee said First Coat was a great chance for artists to show their work in a fresh space and for locals to find a new appreciation for the township.
"It's great for the area and the organisers have done a great job."
It is estimated as many as 550 spray cans and 300 litres of house paint was used over the three days with visitors and locals now able to enjoy 15 murals within the CBD.
For more information visit www.firstcoat.com.au