Wollongong coffee lovers will get their daily caffeine hit with an extra shot of art this week as several cafes trade plain takeaway cups for more creative containers.
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ADart is set to make over coffee cups in the CBD until December 2, exposing customers to sketches, paintings and prints by 16 of the region's up and coming artists.
Project creator Kate Armstrong was motivated by the art scene in the Netherlands where she spent several months on university exchange.
"In Rotterdam, everyone was attached to projects like this and was really mindful of giving opportunities to other artists, so it was very much about collaborative art," she said. "When I came back, I really wanted to grow that sort of culture here - I could see something was happening, but knew artists just needed an opportunity, so I looked for a new initiative."
The project was launched by a grant from Wollongong City Council and then pitched to various businesses which pledged funds in exchange for decorative cups, bags and other print media.
"It's all about businesses getting the chance to share art with their customers - it's a real talking point for them," Ms Armstrong said.
"We wanted to legitimise what the artists do by asking people to pay for it and get businesses involved in something that shows their goodwill and gets people into their cafes."
Ms Armstrong hopes the project will help boost Wollongong's profile as a creative melting pot for young, emerging artists.
Art will be printed on stickers and then attached to cups in cafes including Lee and Me, Lower East and Gwynneville's POD Emporium.
For other locations, visit adartonline.com or facebook/adart.wollongong.