The Back Alley Gallery

19/08/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗟𝗔 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁

As part of the 2025 LOLA Festival, The Back Alley Gallery has commissioned three artists local to the Lismore LGA for a live mural activation in Eggins Lane. Join us from 1.00-5.00PM this Saturday to see the artists painting in real-time.

| 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀

𝗞𝗮𝗶 𝗚𝗲𝗰𝘀𝗼 is a deaf and neurodivergent artist based in the Northern Rivers. He creates mixed media works inspired by beautiful chaos of life.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗦𝗧. is a collaborative studio dedicated to creating visual and auditory experiences that push the limits of perception. Based on Widjabul Wia-bal Country in Lismore, NSW, artists Bianca Hayden and Mark Leacy work with light, colour, geometry and sound to create murals, sculptures and immersive interventions that shift the emotional atmosphere of a space.

𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 is a vision hunter, a visual communicator, artist, signwriter and large-scale muralist, whose joyful, provocative, and sometimes rebellious works are synonymous with the outspoken and creative spirit of the Northern Rivers region. Her vibrant murals and signs adorn laneways, footpaths, walls, arcades, shopfronts, and the interiors of local businesses from Lismore to Perth, and chances are she has designed the logo or interior of that local businesses you love. A fierce advocate for community-led development and a vibrant creative economy, Kate’s work is a constant celebration of identity and survival.

We hope to see you there!

04/07/2025

We have always believed in the power of local creatives to shape the identity, vitality, and resilience of Lismore. For over 15 years, underpaid and often undervalued artists and coordinators have paved the way to activate Lismore’s laneways, building them into spaces that reflect our community’s creativity and strength. It is continuously disheartening to see these efforts overlooked in processes that should centre the very community they seek to celebrate.

We are disappointed by the process surrounding the LOLA Festival. Over 12 months ago, we put in significant volunteer leg-work to support initial grant applications, programming, and leadership roles within this event. We provided best-practice recommendations and made it clear that an event of this nature could not proceed without a strong and transparent partnership with our team. Despite this, the festival moved ahead without our meaningful involvement, and like many in our community, we were blindsided by a phone call just days before its announcement.

When we first contributed to the development of this festival, we believed in its potential to provide important opportunities for our creative community and to demonstrate the real impact that well-planned cultural activation can have in our city.

We are currently in conversation with Lismore City Council to negotiate a fair way forward. It might not match the vision we first held, but we remain hopeful it can still be the beginning of something positive. If an agreement can be reached, the Back Alley Gallery will work around the clock to create fair, equitable opportunities for artists to be involved where we can.

We’d still like to believe this potential can be realised and that this festival can become a platform that truly reflects and celebrates the creative talent of our region.

What do you want to see in this event? Let us know.

Image Credit: Gritty

31/08/2024

“Willow” by Guido van Helten in Lismore, Australia.

08/08/2024

Thankyou Resilient Lismore for attending the opening event of the Tinnie Army Commemorative Mural :)

19/04/2024

We wholeheartedly support Lismore to host the Triple J's One Night Stand in 2024. Please submit your request through the link in the original post, in support of this incredible event to be in Lismore this year 😍

Are you keen for triple j's One Night Stand to come to your regional town? We want to hear your pitch! Tell us a bit about your town and why hosting the One Night Stand will make a difference in your community. Applications close on Sunday, 28 April 2024 at 11:59PM AEST. For details about how yo...

06/04/2024

Portrait of Willow in the Back Alley Gallery, painted by Guido van Helten in 2016 🌞

An alley in Lismore.

29/02/2024

Join us from 10.00AM - 2.30PM this Saturday, March 2nd at the Resilient Lismore Two Years On gathering by the river. You’ll find us at Riverside Park, Lismore (Victoria Street).

We invite community members to contribute to the Tinnie Army Commemorative mural by sharing messages of thanks and appreciation, drawing and colouring in design ideas for this project.

This space is designed to be a gentle and welcoming environment for reflection and contribution. There is no pressure and no judgement — just an opportunity to participate in a way that feels right to you ✨

This project has generously been supported by Summerland Bank

10/02/2024

08/02/2024

The Back Alley Gallery team is excited to announce the launch of the ‘Tinnie Army Commemorative Mural’ project!

We’re inviting the community to share messages of thanks and appreciation to the Tinnie Army for inclusion in this monumental mural project. Whether you were directly impacted, or simply want to express your appreciation, your voice matters!

*HOW TO GET INVOLVED*

👋🏼 Public Survey: Follow the link below to submit messages of thanks and appreciation to the Tinnie Army -- https://www.jotform.com/form/240307261189858

🎨 Drop-in Workshop: Join us on the 2nd of March for a drop-in workshop at Riverside Park. This workshop will provide a safe and welcoming space to write messages of thanks and appreciation, as well as contribute design elements to the overall mural.

⏰ Follow us for Updates: We’ll keep you posted with more opportunities to get involved with this project over the coming weeks, keep an eye out!

This project has been generously sponsored by Summerland Bank

13/07/2023

Throwback Thursday!

Ella Senbruns contacted us late 2022 to propose a mural artwork. It was post flood and our beloved community street art space (the Back Alley Gallery) received extensive damage. This offer was welcomed and the outcome, breathtaking. Ella is a talented emerging muralist whose work is sensitive and captivating, thank you for sharing your talent with Lismore.

Ella is also accepting commissions!
https://m.facebook.com/art.of.senbruns