Another former participant, Oli, who attended DRIP between 2020 and 2023, is now a professional mural artist based in London, travelling across Europe to create works for festivals, businesses and communities.<\/p>\n
In 2025, three participants over 18 were invited to exhibit in Perth\u2019s largest graffiti exhibition, \u2018SAVA: Graff.0\u2019, initiated by Mondlane, with two artists selling their work.<\/p>\n
Three DRIP artists were also selected to exhibit at RAC Arena in collaboration with SAVA Art and The Salvation Army for a youth exhibition.<\/p>\n
![\"Nelson](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/edc8fd2cd38d4370e1096130415869b73266a7ea.jpg\")
Camera IconNelson Mondlane, Y HQ visual arts program officer and creator of DRIP. Credit: Tegan Taudigani<\/p>\n
Mondlane, who is a Y HQ visual arts program officer and creator of DRIP, said the program continued to exceed expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecently, five standout participants designed and painted one of the largest murals ever completed at the Y HQ \u2014 conceptualising the artwork, selecting materials and executing the piece from start to finish at a professional level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guided them along the way, but this is the first time a group of DRIP participants has painted a mural at this scale and at a truly professional level. Watching their confidence and capability grow through this program has been incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eighteen-year-old Hunter Lyons has been attending the program for more than a year and said it had become a key part of his routine.<\/p>\n
Hunter said he first discovered DRIP through friends and quickly found a sense of community.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many people come down here and I\u2019ve made heaps of friends. I\u2019ve learnt so much about painting. And obviously, it\u2019s legal and free, so it keeps people from away from crime,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunter](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fe65b4b4d643fadc8e6c0b14581b78b8b0e57e05.jpg\")
Camera IconHunter and Nelson at Y HQ in Leederville. Credit: Tegan Taudigani<\/p>\n
\u201cNelson runs the program and he is brilliant, just amazing. He is a genuine good bloke and he helps with everyone, running the program really well. I don\u2019t think I\u2019d want anyone else to run it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hunter said he hopes to see the program grow in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to see some more funding for the program, so we can do it more often. Because the more times we can do it, the better everyone gets, the more fun, and more times we get to see each other as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of people here that I only get to see and hang out with at DRIP.\u201d<\/p>\n
Y WA CEO Dr Tim McDonald said the initiative was breaking down barriers for young people.<\/p>\n
\u201cDRIP is a brilliant example of how a free youth initiative can unlock extraordinary potential,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy removing financial barriers and providing professional mentorship, we\u2019re creating real opportunities for young people to build skills, confidence and pathways into creative careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s inspiring to see the calibre of talent emerging from this program and the impact it\u2019s having across our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program runs on the second Saturday each month from 10am to 2pm, with 10 sessions held between August and May.<\/p>\n
Places are limited to 15 to 20 participants per session; people aged 12 to 25 can register<\/a>.<\/p>\n