Our culture and diversity is just one of those many things we can beat our chest about.

This city, formed from a heart of steel, has so much warmth, colour and light.

Never is that more obvious each year than when the Wonderwalls Festival comes around.

The official program to Wonderwalls reads: “Wollongong is quickly becoming a predominant player in the world of art and culture.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. 

Each year, artists are given the responsibility of transforming walls within the city area into the most amazing pieces of art you would hope to find anywhere.

This week will be no different and thousands will take to the streets to witness the transformation.

There are several activities around the festival.

On Saturday you can listen to Q&As with some of the artists.

One of those artists will be local artist Claire Foxton who is creating a piece close to the hearts of those at the Illawarra Mercury.

Claire’s piece will be based on an image captured by the Mercury’s very own award-winning photographer Sylvia Liber. 

The image showed a pensive local homeless lady Wendy who was left heartbroken after the council impounded her beloved dog Lou-Lou.

Thankfully there was a happy ending to that story and Wendy and Lou-Lou were reunited.

Sylvia and Wendy have given Claire permission to create the mural and we are excited to see the finished product.

Sunday, those over the age of 18 can join in on a rooftop party atop of Wollongong Central from 1 pm featuring food, music, dancing and art.

It is the fifth year of the Wonderwalls Festival and long may it continue.

The finished artworks not only beautify the cityscape but they fill the hearts of the people in the community with pride and joy.

This is our city.

A city of colour and light.

You can find our interactive Wonderwalls map online at illawarramercury.com.au.

Keep watching the website and our social media platforms across the weekend to see the Wonderwalls of 2017 taking shape.