Volunteer organisers Wayne Park, Peter Anderson and David Gilbert have been getting the space ready for the artists to let their creative juices flow.
The previous year’s winning murals remain on display in the park while all the others are removed and replaced with new boards.
After an undercoat is applied, they are ready to be filled with spectacular artwork.
Wayne said the heat had been making the process tricky — "the paint dries as soon as we brush it on”.
They have also had an arborist check all the trees to ensure the safety of the artists and visitors.
With the addition of Judy Anderson, the four organisers take time out of their day to run the festival, helped by generous community volunteers during the paint-off week.
“They come at the start and end of the day and help set up ladders and wash the paintbrushes,” Judy said.
“We get between 50 and 100 volunteers helping each year.”
The local schools get involved, too, bringing students to talk to the artists and see them in action.
This year seven students from Rochester Secondary College will volunteer at the Meet the Artists dinner as a part of the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Last year the Rochester Business Network announced it would fund the festival for the next three years; however, they still rely on generous volunteers and business sponsors.
Wayne said organisers hoped the festival would continue for many years to come.
“We’re planning for it, it’s just hard with all of us being volunteers and its not cheap — even just the cost of the paint adds up,” he said.
Wayne is already thinking of a theme for next year, and he welcomes any suggestions.
This year's theme, Rochester: past, present or future, was chosen deliberately for its broad scope.
“We need broad enough concepts so the artists can develop something of interest that applies to the town,” Wayne said.
This year in a fundraising effort a watercolour artwork by past favourite Jon Lam will be auctioned at the Meet the Artists dinner.
Jon was one the inaugural artists and his mural won first prize in 2016, while his watercolour paintings have won awards.
The artwork, named Silos, is on display at SportsPower, and proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting the festival in the future.
The Meet the Artists dinner is on this Friday, February 21, at 7 pm at Rochester Lawn Tennis Club — tickets are $25 from Dingwalls Newsagency.
Artists begin painting the next morning and continue all week. People are encouraged to visit the park and watch the murals evolve.
Everyone is invited to have their say with the People’s Choice award, which will be announced with the other awards on Saturday, February 29.
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