Tatura-based artist Rachel Doller is among a group of seven district artists brought together under the festival umbrella to bring colour and life to the centre of Shepparton.
The group has already raised $3000 through 42 individual contributions to a GoFundMe page to cover material costs.
Now, the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation has stepped in to help the group meet its $7000 target with a generous injection of $4000.
Foundation executive Amanda McCulloch said the philanthropic organisation was a significant contributor to the arts in the Shepparton community.
“The arts were the first to be hit by pandemic restrictions and continue to be affected, so we are proud to be able to help this project succeed,” she said.
Ms Doller said the Fairley Foundation contribution was a huge boost to the artists involved in the project.
“This is a real affirmation that there is support for what we do. This will bring joy and inspiration for so many people,” she said.
She will start painting her colourful abstract designs on the brick wall at the rear of the Scots’ Uniting Church op-shop on the corner of Stewart and Corio Sts on Friday.
“This wall is actually quite special to me - my mum and dad were married in Scots’ church, and my mum went to kindergarten here,” she said.
Other artists involved in the project include: Shepparton tattooist Monique Allan, Tongala-based painters Sophie Wilson and Davidson Lopes and musician Joel Parnell, illustrator and poster designer Tom Harding and mural painter Dery Theodorus, all from Shepparton.
Artworks to be installed throughout the festival include projections, paste-ups and murals at various Shepparton locations such as O’Dea's Saddlery on High St, Scots’ Op Shop on Stewart St and Riverlinks and Stubbs Wallace on Welsford St.
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