It started as an anti-graffiti initiative and now artists are lining up to make their mark in Brisbane streets

For more than two decades, volunteers armed with paintbrushes have helped transform Brisbane’s busy streets into colourful public galleries — one intersection at a time.

Turning the city’s traffic signal boxes into canvases began as an anti-graffiti initiative in 1999.

Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said public art was “very important to recognise the identity of a city”.

“The idea was not only to enliven and have a drive-through gallery, but it was also…