When it comes to art, paint practically runs in Elliot Mason’s veins.

“My grandfather, then my uncle owned Harrison’s Gallery (now Harrison’s Frames) and mum worked there, so putting on exhibitions was part of our family life,” he explained.

“I was always interested in visual art and painting. I had my first exhibition when I was 14.”

A professional artist since the age of 23 and a technician at Tauranga Art Gallery, Mason is one of five prominent artists chosen to paint large-scale artworks during Tauranga Street Art Festival from March 21-23. In fact, it’s the largest piece of work he’s ever created.

“It’s about 40m by 80m,” he said. “I did a big work in Hamilton that was a similar length but half the height, so this is easily the biggest for me.”

Mason expects it to take him a full week to paint a stylised image of eels in water on the harbour side of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council building.

“The concept combines natural elements with a Celtic influence of interlaced knot-work in the design. The relevance of the eels in this space is their migration from the river to the estuary.

The image will be 40m by 80m –the largest piece of work Elliot has ever created. Photo / Brydie Thompson

“Also, I grew up in Whakamārama with Te Puna stream running through our property and I’d feed the eels.”

It’s not just those early memories; Mason can count five generations of his family that have lived near Tauranga Moana.

“I spent a lot of my childhood playing on or in this body of water, so it’s very meaningful to me,” he said.

For the Tauranga Street Art Festival, city residents and visitors alike are encouraged to walk between sites to watch the murals come to life, while enjoying entertainment.

Along with Mason who’ll be working at 1 Elizabeth St, Tauranga artist Jasmine Kroeze will tackle 80 Devonport Rd; BEMODERN, or Paul Darragh from Mount Maunganui, will work on Tauranga Art Gallery on Willow St; and Auckland artists HASER and Erin Forsyth will transform walls at 64 Elizabeth St and 108 Devonport Rd respectively.

“We’re hoping our work will add to the beautification of the city and that it’s the start of something new for Tauranga,” said festival organiser and director of Lighthouse Creative Productions, Craig McClure.

“In the long term, we’d love to make the festival an annual event.”

More information is at: www.whatsontauranga.co.nz or join the Tauranga Street Art Festival page on Facebook.