Winton's streets are about to be set ablaze with colour when twelve of New Zealand's best street artists attack the town's walls with their spraycans next week (1-6 Feb).

Codenamed South Sea Spray Winton, the artists will create up to 15 murals that have a cultural, spiritual or rural connection to the Central Southland area, including one promising to feature the town's world famous cream bun.

The project is the brainchild of Winton's Margie Ruddenklau, who said she was very passionate about what arts could bring to the community and people's physical and mental well being.

Having volunteered in the local community for over 40 years, Ruddenklau said she had used some of her key connections to help raise the $180,000 needed for the project.

People had been very generous, but we would still take any donations, she said.

Ruddenklau then enlisted the help of fellow Southlander and South Sea Spray creative director Danny Owen (better know by his artistic name Deow) to physically make the project happen.

Deow. Photo: Supplied

An experienced street and mural artist and tutor, Deow has led several 'whole of town' projects in Southland including Riverton (2017), Bluff (2021) and Waihopai/Invercargill (2022).

"It's nice to be going to Winton at the end of the holidays, everyone's kind of revitalized and fresh and got their summer glow," Deow said.

Deow and Ruddenklau had first sought community feedback about what people would like to see on the walls.

Ruddenklau said the support for the project from local businesses had been amazing and there was now a real vibe around Winton.

While South Sea Spray projects had traditionally had nautical themes, Deow said it was good to be going to the country were there would be a more rural theme.

The Winton project's invited artists include Dcypher, Jacob Yikes, Nicola Oldenhof, Koryu, Erin Forsyth, Sean Duffel, Ikarus, Kell Sunshine, Swift Mantis, Flox, Shane Walker, Jacob Root and Deow.

Kell Sunshine. Photo: Supplied

With sites already selected, between Railway Street in the north and Bute Street in the south, the team expect to complete their murals in just 6 days.

And as well as painting, the artists will be holding on site talks, to share their stories, journeys and tribulations.

There will also be an interactive exhibition of the artists works in the Winton Memorial hall from 3-6th February and a number of student workshops and mentoring will also be held throughout the week.

The week will culminate in a public festival day on Waitangi Day (6 Feb) where the 'people's choice' mural will be announced.