A fading art treasure, a radiant baby anonymously returns, and a world renowned art figure…the story of Collingwood’s Keith Haring mural is as lively as the work itself.

Keith Haring (1958-1990) was a widely popular American artist and social activist who is often credited with bringing street art into the mainstream.

In 1984, as his star was on the rise internationally, he visited Australia where he undertook art projects in Sydney and Melbourne including a large scale outdoor mural at what was then the Collingwood Technical School.

The Collingwood mural is now one of only 31 known murals across the world by Haring that have survived, and one of only three that hasn’t been significantly over-painted. In recognition of its local, national and international significance, it was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2004.

In 2010 Creative Victoria (then Arts Victoria) took over management of the Collingwood site where the mural is situated and a project was  initiated to conserve and protect the mural.

The Collingwood Technical School site is currently in the process of being transformed into the Collingwood Arts Precinct.