Prize shock for Bulgarian

Bulgarian artist Nikolay Dimitrov secured $15,000 for his piece, based on 2015 festival theme poem Windows of our Dreams.

Mural Fest event manager Penny Lane said Dimitrov was shocked when he was announced as winner.

‘‘The whole crowd just erupted, his piece of work was lovely,’’ Ms Lane said.

‘‘It’s so gentle, the little girl has her eyes closed and she’s dreaming, forever will that moment be captured.’’

She said after the announcement, organisers arranged for him to make a phone call to his mother.

Second prize winners were Patricia Smart and Olly Grohs, of Bullaburra, New South Wales.

The pair walked away with a total of $7000 — $5000 from the judge’s choice and $2000 from the visitor’s choice award.

Ms Lane said thousands attended the festival’s last official day.

‘‘It’s been growing bigger and bigger,’’ she said.

‘‘The weather was very kind to us, people were so happy to be wandering around in Sheffield.’’

The theme for next year’s festival will be Reflections of Time,  and Ms Lane said the clock was already ticking.

Volunteers will be at the park on Sunday to help visitors enjoy the pieces in the aftermath of Saturday’s event.