City of Mount Gambier has endorsed two projects, including an interactive mural and community weaving project, as part of the 2023/2024 Creative Arts Fund.
The program supports artists, community groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects that contribute to a connected, vibrant, culturally diverse community.
“The Creative Arts Fund selection panel were very pleased to be recommending the two successful applications for funding,” Acting Manager Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Ben Kilsby said.
“Each year the Creative Arts Fund attracts a diverse range of applications, representing the broad interests and creative capacity of our arts community. The successful proposals this year reflect this and will provide high-quality public art or extensive cultural development outcomes through their delivery.”
The successful applications include:
UP – Lucy Bonnin
Artist Lucy Bonnin will bring a burst of colour to the Mount Gambier Railway Lands as she begins working on her interactive mural 'UP'. The large interactive mural will feature colourful balloons and will be located on the large vacant wall in the central plaza of the Mount Gambier Railway Lands.
The mural will complement the existing railway theme of the 'Signalling Change' artwork and add a playful touch to appeal to the families and children attracted to the adjacent play space.
"I moved to Mount Gambier with my family at the start of this year and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the community and the region's public art realm," artist Lucy Bonnin said.
"The mural is colourful, bold, and interactive. The design includes a collection of balloons symbolising joy, freedom, creativity, and hope."
"The interactive element adds to this sense of depth and allows viewers to stand at the bottom-centre of the mural and 'hold' the bunch of balloons by the string. This will create an excellent opportunity for people to take photos of themselves with the mural."
"I certainly hope this public art would help to bring life to the city for all those who live here or pass through."
Sea Weave –Tabitha Williams
Artist Tabitha Williams will bring community members of all ages together through a series of workshops. Participants will craft individual woven rounds that will be combined to form a magnificent sculpture of algae, promoting both the resilience and fragility of our oceans on the Limestone Coast.
"The weaving project is a collaborative endeavour that seeks to celebrate the region's coastal beauty while fostering a sense of community and raising awareness about environmental fragility," artist Tabitha Williams said.
"This project will invite community members to participate in a series of weaving workshops. Guided by experienced weaving instructors, participants will learn traditional weaving techniques and contribute to the creation of a significant communal artwork that will tour the Limestone Coast."
The finished artwork is proposed to be displayed within public buildings throughout the city.
The unallocated funds from the 2023/2024 Creative Arts Fund will support the delivery of the Mount Gambier Beacon Art Project.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on (08) 8721 2401 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
