Part 2 | Creative Women Transforming Frankston’s Laneways and Streets – featuring Candela Colors

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated globally, recognising the incredible contributions of women and girls to their communities.

To celebrate we’re spotlighting the amazing women who are turning out city into a living, vibrant gallery as part of the 2025 Frankston Street Art Festival returning for its 8th year from March 17–23.

Previously we shone the spotlight on South Australian artist, Jasmine Crisp who told us how her art is an expression of her lived experience. Now we are shifting our attention to Argentian artist, Candela Alconada (AKA Candela Colors).

Winner of our 2024 people’s Choice Award, Candela is a feature artist in the 2025 festival – bringing her signature colour, creativity and vibrancy to the streets of Frankston.  

Here’s what Candela had to say about her art journey and women in the street art industry..

Spotlight on Candela Colors

Candela is known for creating colourful and enchanting scenes that explore the intertwined relationship between the natural, fantastical, and human worlds. Having painted vibrant murals in countries across the globe, including Singapore, the Philippines, Spain, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Australia, Candela’s focus on vibrant colours, whimsical characters and narratives filled with curiosity and wonder speak to the inner child in all of us.  

How did your journey in street art begin? And what is your style?

I think it started with a school assignment when I was probably 12 years old. I came across street art on the internet, I didn’t know it was a thing until then. Growing up I was not in contact with graffiti, street art or murals at all as I was far from the city and no one around me was interested in it. Since then I always knew that art in the streets was something that made me feel truly excited.

I started painting while travelling around South America with my partner at the time. We first painted in Brazil and then in Ecuador in exchange of accommodation and some money, and then I went from there. Back home, some of my friends and I founded a creative warehouse, Un Galpon, which became the foundations of my artistic journey.

I would say that my style is illustration based, very colourful and bubbly. I like creating dreamlike scenarios, a bit psychedelic and expressive.

What artwork are you most proud of, in which city does it reside?

Probably one of the last murals I did during my recent trip to Bogotá. It’s about a girl looking through a window worried and sad, while behind her there are colourful plants and an uplifting background. I originally sketched it back in Melbourne when I was really anxious about some health-related news I’d received from my family. I was homesick and stuck in a loop of worry.

It’s meaningful for me because I ended up painting that sketch a few months ago in a very different headspace and I got to share it with my parents which at the moment of drawing it, being with them was everything I wanted. 

Tell us about what it's like being a women in the street art industry?

I think that as pretty much all the other areas, the street art industry is a very male dominated world and of course that comes with challenges that only woman can fully understand, because we experience the differences firsthand and how they impact our confidence, our ability to get jobs, and our freedom to take up space without feeling like we permission or that we are falling short in some way.

I have to say though, that I am very glad that throughout my journey as a street art artist, from the very beginning, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by incredible talented men that put me under their wings and help me to learn how to pick up sprays, took me to spots to paint, and introduced me to Melbourne’s creative scene.

I think the issue is bigger than just the industry, it’s the structure we live in!

What do you think street art ‘givesto a city?

It gives identity. Behind every piece of art, there’s a person wanting to express themselves and share their inner world.

The line-up for this year is looking fantastic. Who are you looking forward to seeing create?

Yes! I don’t know many of the artists in the lineup, so I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and hopefully spending some quality time in between the painting rush. I’m especially excited to see Jasmine Crisp. As for every other woman that is killing it, I have a lot of questions to ask.

What do you love about Frankston as a destination for street art?

That after finding all the hidden treasures, you can go to the beach! I also think that there is so much to see after so many years of artists visiting the city, that it turned into an open- air street art museum for everyone to enjoy. That is pretty unique.

What made you want to create art is Frankston?

I think like any big city, it’s always fun to paint in because there are just a lot of people passing by in the streets and there are a lot of things going on at the same time. Frankston has a good reputation of many artists leaving their mark there, and I’ve been really waiting for a chance to leave mine. It feels like a privilege to me to be able to paint something with my best intentions to hopefully sparks someone’s day.

Where is one place in the world you would most love to get your art? 

Japan. I love Asian culture, and I think generally speaking, artists from that part of the world are on another level.

Who is your street art hero? Why?

My friend Lula (@lula.limon) is an amazing Argentinian graffiti and street artist and she was the first female artist I met and was really influenced by. I learned a lot from her and I still am.

I’m also super inspired by Lauren YS and Caratoes, I wanna be like them when I grow up.

Candela’s prize for winning the 2024 People’s choice Award, was to feature in the 2025 Street Art Festival (17-23 March). You can check out her work during the festival on Ross Avenue East, Frankston.  

Thank you to Candela for being part of this piece. You can read more about Candela here or visit her Instagram @candela.colors. One the best ways to see the artwork is on the city’s award winning street art tours bookable now, running FREE on Friday to Sunday during the festival.

Make sure you head to the Block Party on Saturday 22 March from 4.30-10pm to celebrate the festival and artists.  Settle in for a drink, enjoy the live music and entertainment and book into a street art workshop (ideal for primary and secondary schoolers).

This International Women’s Day, dive into the fun, celebrate creativity and witness how these incredible women are painting a new, bold picture for Frankston.

 #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #FrankstonStreetArt #ImagineFrankston