Inaugural One Night in Footscray had people dancing in the street

Art spilled onto the streets of inner Footscray for 'One Night in Footscray' on Friday 24 November.

An estimated 5,000 people attended the inaugural event, which had galleries and studios open until late, shopfronts activated with performances and bars transformed by art installations.

Nicholson Mall was abuzz with activity ranging from Matto Lucas’ Parade of Pointlessness, featuring the artist pushing a shopping trolley in a get-up that oscillated between demonic and disco, to six women exploring their childhood impressions through physical theatre.

Strangers danced together on a pop-up LED dance floor, the culture of Melbourne’s disabled community was celebrated at the Telstra Exchange Building with participatory paste-up project Disability Pride, and a citizen of Footscray negotiated gentrification in a mesmerising dance performance from behind a vacant shop window.

The buzz extended into VU at MetroWest, where the Victoria Polytechnic Art Graduate exhibition had record sales. For many of the student artists it was the first time they had sold an artwork professionally. Over $2,000 was also raised for RISE: Refugees, Survivours and Ex-detainees at the Handmade for Humans market.

More than 30 artists were involved across 17 locations, commissioned through an expression-of-interest process which contributed to an incredibly diverse program of events.

Venues reported new people walking through their doors, and many locals ventured into some of Footscray’s local creative spaces for the first time, proving the after-hour offerings were a hit. 

One Night in Footscray was jointly presented by Maribyrnong City Council and Victoria University as part of the Footscray University Town initiative.