Illawarra businesses are increasingly turning their walls into exhibition space to showcase local talent. Doctors surgeries, cafes, bars and restaurants from the north to the south are finding it’s a “win win” situation for business and for artists. Austinmer artist Deirdre Arthur Armstrong has been a voice for local artists for some time, curating works to hang in offices such as Bulli Medical Centre. Co-owner of the Little Blowhole bar in Kiama, Bruce Ferguson, said showcasing different art works every month keeps his venue fresh for customers and invites new customers. “We rely heavily on our local customers because we’re not downtown, we’re off in the suburbs of Kiama … so whenever they come in they see an entirely different space,” Ferguson said. “The artists bring in a unique group of people that may not necessarily have seen Kiama or the art bar. “I think the days of a static art gallery is over, it’s hard to remain sustainable.” Owner of the Howlin’ Wolf Bar in Wollongong, Barbara Robbins-Harvey, said having art on the walls was a positive experience overall because it keeps things “dynamic and fresh”. “Not only for patrons but for the staff as well. You get to see something a little bit different every time we have a new artist,” Ms Robbins-Harvey said. She said depending on the works they could be quite calming on people or create a “real buzz”. “When you want to go out and you’re socialising and you want to talk with people [the artworks] are a real talking point,” she said. “I personally have noticed a huge increase in the number of artists being displayed in public spaces; things like Wonderwalls and those sort of initiatives are bringing art into the mainstream and bringing it to people’s attention.” Wollongong surf photographer, Warren Keelan, said he strongly believes in continuing physical art in the real world, rather than in digital form and has found businesses increasingly asking for art to fill empty spaces. He has his work in hotels, cafe’s and bars and said it gets it seen by different demographics. “A massive win win for the community, for photographers, arts in general and for the bar,” he said. “It’s exposure for us but it’s also a way of keeping culture alive.” Concrete Sea exhibition, Howlin’ Wolf Bar Wollongong, until end of February.