THE Southern Gold Coast has begun its transformation into a surf art mecca in anticipation of new surf festival Bleach Surfing the Fringe officially kicking off tomorrow.

Gold Coast art and design guru Claudio Kirac spent most of Thursday afternoon transforming a simple Kirra bus shelter into a work of art.

Pop Up Bleach galleries housed in shipping containers on beach foreshores in Coolangatta, Kirra and Tugun also started appearing late this week, housing visual artists, experimental photographers and filmmakers.

Over 16 days, across 10kms, over 80 artists and musicians will present art and photography, film, music, talks, fashion, theatre, and food events at major venues unique to the Southern Gold Coast.

Bleach assistant curator Shelli Bankier said the response from local artists had been overwhelming.

"The festival concept has been embraced and supported as it moves into reality, artists from all over the Gold Coast have been in touch requesting a spot in the festival," Ms Bankier said.

"Everyone involved is excited to show their work in this innovative format, with Pop-Up shipping container galleries and collective exhibition shows filling empty shop spaces.

"All the artists are working hard to show their best work.

"The Southern Gold Coast will be awash with art expressed by those who take their meaning and inspiration from the ocean."

The festival will also host a series of talks, debates and workshops that will blur the divide between surfing and the arts.

These include writing workshops by celebrated surf author Tim Baker, who will also be a panel member for a public debate on the topic 'Is Surfing an Art or A Sport?

Tim's fellow panellists for this lively topic will include the Beautiful Girls frontman and avid surfer Mat McHugh, board shaper Stuart D'Arcy, surf commentator Bruce Lee, former professional surf and ASP women's tour manager Jessi Miley Dyer, and Southern Cross University's Jak Carroll.

Bleach Surfing the Fringe Festival Schedule (all times are Queensland):

February 7 -12

Breaka Burleigh Pro

February 11 - 26

Bleach Goldspace and Bleach Collective exhibitions - Kirra Hill Community & Cultural Centre, Kallalu, Café Dbar, Bambi Deluxe, Little Lido Espresso Bar, and well as reclaimed shopfronts in Coolangatta and Tugun. Opening times vary.

February 11

Bleach Street - Tomewin St Currumbin 11-6 pm

The Surfer and The Mermaid - Surf World Museum Currumbin 1pm, 2.30, 4 pm - entry by gold coin donation

Bleach Groms - south side of Elephant Rock, Currumbin Beach 11am-3pm

Bleach On The Rocks Projections - Elephant Rock Currumbin 6.30- 9pm

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3pm - 8pm

Opening Party - Neverland Coolangatta (ticketed event)

February 12

The Surfer and The Mermaid - Surf World Museum Currumbin 1pm, 2.30, 4 pm - entry by gold coin donation

Bleach On The Rocks Projections - Elephant Rock Currumbin 7- 9pm

Bleach Travelling Music Truck Concert - Various times and locations

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3 - 8pm

February 13 - 14

The Surfer and The Mermaid schools & family program - Surf World Gold Coast Museum, Currumbin (by reservation, gold coin entry)

February 15

Oceanscape - Kallalu Coolangatta 6.30pm

February 16

Public Debate: Is Surfing an Art or a Sport? - Surf World Gold Coast Museum Currumbin - entry by gold coin donation

Pop Up Bleach Galleries- Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 4-8pm

February 17-19

Kirra Teams Challenge

February 17

Retrospect Film Night - Surf World Gold Coast Museum, Currumbin - entry by donation

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 4-8pm

Tijuana Cartel- SoundLounge, Currumbin RSL 8pm (ticketed event)

In Natural Flow feat. 3lla - Komune Coolangatta 7pm - by donation

February 18

Kirra Dreaming - Lucas Proudfoot with Circular Rhythm children's workshops, acoustic performances, Kirra Hill C&CC 11am-3.30pm

Tim Baker writing workshops - Kirra Hill C&CC 12.30-2.30pm (ticketed event)

Patagonia Summer Surf Films - Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta 7-9pm

Bleach On The Rocks Projections - Elephant Rock Currumbin 7-9pm

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3-8pm

Depths of Balsa - Never Land Bar Coolangatta 9pm (ticketed event)

February 19

Disabled Surfers 'Let's Go Surfing' Day - Len Wort Park Currumbin, 9am

Bleach Travelling Music Truck Concert - Various times and locations

Summer Surf Films - Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta 7-9pm

Bleach On The Rocks Projections- Elephant Rock Currumbin 7-9pm

Sway on Sunset bikini retrospective feat Matt McHugh - Komune, Coolangatta 4-8pm (ticketed event)

Pop Up Bleach Galleries- Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3-8pm

February 21

Tugun Chats - Tugun SLSC, Tugun 6pm

February 22

Surfing Australia Greenroom Conference - Twin Towns Resort Coolangatta (ticketed event)

Bleach Pop Up Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 4-8pm

February 23 -March 6

Dreamland Claudio Kirac Exhibition, Comb Artspace, Coolangatta, from 12pm

February 23

Quality Vs Quanitity- Surf World Gold Coast Museum Currumbin 6.30pm

Pop Up Bleach Galleries- Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 4-8pm

February 24

Sons of Beaches '72 movie and installation - Komune, Coolangatta 7.30pm

The Break & Windy Hills - SoundLounge, Currumbin RSL (ticketed event)

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 4-8pm

February 25- March 7

Quiksilver & Roxy Pro

February 25

Sea Salt Sunrise - Kirra foreshore, 5.30 am (ticketed event)

Bustin Down the Door, Teahupoo Uncut movie screening - Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, 6.30-9pm

Bleach On The Rocks Projections- Elephant Rock Currumbin 7-9pm

Pop Up Bleach Galleries - Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3-8pm

Sure Cut Kids - Never Land Bar, Coolangatta 8pm

February 26

Vintage Surfboard Swap Meet- Underground Surf, Coolangatta 10am

Bleach Music Truck Concert - Currumbin Alley 3-4 pm

Pop Up Bleach Galleries- Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, Coolangatta 3-8pm

Bleach Music Truck Concert - Various times and locations

Bleach On The Rocks Projections- Elephant Rock Currumbin 7-9pm

Blue King Brown feat. Tabura - SoundLounge, Currumbin RSL 3-8.30pm (ticketed event)

Luau Closing Party- Surf World Gold Coast Museum, Currumbin 6pm (ticketed event)

March 4

Alley Fish Fry, Currumbin Alley

In case of rain, events will run regardless. Schedule subject to change.

Visit the Bleach website filled with event descriptions, ticketing information, artist profiles, and venue details: bleachfestival.com.au.