Wally's Rambles: Art, Not Apart

On what seemed somewhat like the forgotten side of town changes have been taking place in recent years. Some of the old buildings are still there, like this one, originally a hostel for the workers moving to the new city and now used for offices.

Filling the spaces that used to be open air car parks are modern office buildings.

And what was a business district is turning into a residential precinct as well. That's where we headed to enjoy a multi-arts festival called Art, Not Apart. It was great to see an event that supports not only new and alternative artists but also fantastic innovative programs like Painting With Parkinsons, which I'd never heard of before.

Being environmentally friendly is fashionable, and I liked some of the features in the gardens such as the community veggie patch and the composting facility. I'm not sure if this is one of the better examples though, it looked like old newspapers being used to make raised garden beds, but won't the newspapers break down fairly quickly, or maybe I was missing something?

Canberra now has a huge coffee culture. Seems there's a coffee shop on almost every corner.

Art and architecture merge.

Looking closer, it's tyres!

Love the planter boxes. (The rust stains maybe not so much.)

Personally I think it's a shame the timber is fading and turning grey, I love the warmth of the original colour, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out.

The facade of this building is very different.

I love the amazing sculpture/awning over this entrance in one of the old renovated buildings.

I love the magnificent old trees, and the new massed plantings of ornamental grasses.

Lots of people were enjoying this beautiful shady area.

I'm not sure if the white picket fence and flamingoes are permanent or were part of the festival.

There was a caravan selling groovy old vintage clothes. Some of the clothes came out for a stroll around and attracted the attention of anyone with a camera. (I remember that era, am I vintage?)

We watched the street performers, and they 'watched' us.

Artists were wrapping.

Artists were spraying.

Artists were pasting.

Artists were painting.

And all sorts of artists were selling.

I'd noticed these broken pavers outside the hotel entrance before and was surprised they hadn't been repaired, but I think I get it now. We drove over them when searching for somewhere to park and later we walked past as other cars were driving over them, and they make a pleasant clinking sound that is almost musical. I realised it's probably intentional.