Ballina Street Art Project Kate Stroud

Kate Stroud is a Northern Rivers-based artist, muralist, signwriter, and visual storyteller known for her bold, joyful, and sometimes rebellious large-scale public art. Her vibrant hand-painted murals and signage brighten streetscapes, arcades, and shopfronts from Lismore to Perth, often becoming iconic features in local communities. Deeply connected to place, Kate’s art reflects the creative spirit and identity of the Northern Rivers region. A strong advocate for community-driven design and the local creative economy, her work celebrates resilience, culture, and connection through colour and form.

Commissioned as part of the Ballina Street Art Project, this hand-painted mural was developed from original illustrations and scaled up using traditional brushwork. Featuring iconic local imagery—from the surfing prawn and native banksia to migrating whales, pipi collecting, and Ballina’s nostalgic waterslide—the artwork celebrates the rich culture and coastal lifestyle of this Northern Rivers seaside town. Inspired by vintage postcards, the mural brings warmth, vibrancy, and storytelling to a previously grey public wall. Designed in a cheerful colour palette, the piece captures the spirit of Ballina and will be extended into locally designed stationery, allowing visitors to share a piece of the region’s charm.