Beacon Art Project

The Beacon Art Project seeks to capture the unique combination of landscape, people and history that forms Mount Gambier’s identity and resonates with the local community and visitors to the city through bold public art.

The Beacon Art Project is more than just art, it’s a long-term investment in the establishment of cultural vibrancy within the city.

It is envisaged that the megafauna sculpture will be a topic of conversation, creating interest locally and among visitors to the city.

Council committed to a Beacon Art Project as a strategic objective towards placemaking, in accordance with the Mount Gambier Public Arts Strategy.

The Beacon Art Project chosen is a celebration of nature, volcanic history, and community brought to life through the imagination of Melbourne based multidisciplinary designers, Huna Studio.

The intent of the megafauna creation is to spread joy and pride through an uplifting landmark that reflects the city’s volcanic heritage and unique natural beauty.

You can read more about the story behind the artwork here.

Tom Proctor and Mitch Walker of Huna Studio, Melbourne.

An assessment panel comprised of four representatives from the City of Mount Gambier, including Councillors Max Bruins and Frank Morello, Riddoch Director Ashleigh Whatling, Team Leader Exhibitions and Collections Chris Clements along with Erin Davidson, formerly of Art Gallery of South Australia, evaluated 22 Expressions of Interest based on a detailed selection criteria.

The artwork was commissioned through an Expressions of Interest process announced in April 2024. Artists were invited to submit proposals for an iconic public artwork within the Mount Gambier CBD that promotes cultural identity, enhances the city’s vibrancy and provides a unique attraction to deliver a significant landmark for the region.

Twenty-two applications were received by the closing date of 30 April 2024 which were assessed by a panel consisting of Councillors Frank Morello and Max Bruins, Riddoch Director Ashleigh Whatling, Riddoch Team Leader Exhibitions and Collections Chris Clements and external subject expert Erin Davidson who at the time was the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Project Manager and now Production Manager of Visual Arts Programs at Creative Australia.

Applications were assessed using a matrix based on the criteria listed in the EOI document resulting in a single application by Huna Studio being shortlisted for Council consideration. The criteria were Artistic Excellence (30%), Alignment with Project Objectives (40%), Feasibility (20%), Experience (10%).

Following this process applicants were notified, and Council staff have been liaising with Huna Studio to finalise details of their proposal.

The fictional megafauna sculpture was chosen as it connects the city to its ancient past and volcanic history. It represents a story unique to Mount Gambier, in an artwork that is a vibrant symbol of joy and pride. Designed not only to educate about creatures of our ancient past, but to spark wonder and curiosity about the depths of our underground systems.

According to the artists, the design is a symbol of lost and ancient creatures, a manifestation of some lost, mythic marsupial mega-fauna. Not a literal recreation, but an imaginary figure that has emerged from the earth and embarked upon a journey across the landscape. Encouraging viewers to question its origin and embark upon their own journey of discovery. Read more here about the inspiration for the design here.

‘Cast In Blue’ will be installed on Bay Road outside the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre. The positioning of the artwork will be finalised closer to installation.

No, the final location is yet to be finalised and will be subject to development approval, however it will feature within the CBD. Elected Members will give consideration to an appropriate location at the November 2024 Council meeting.

The criteria for the Beacon Art Project is to create a vibrant atmosphere within the CBD to encourage community engagement and visitation. Council chose the high-profile location on Bay Road due to its proximity to the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre and the Visitor Information Centre hub, encouraging tourists to engage with the work.

Core to the artwork concept is the idea that the creature has emerged from one of the many caves and sinkholes in the Mount Gambier area and has embarked upon a journey across the city – the proximity to this location represents a point in this story.

This location is also within close proximity to a sinkhole (Cave Garden/Thugi) creating a strong connection to the proposal’s conceptual narrative and the unique natural history of Limestone Coast.

The project will cost $137,450, including $120,179 to Huna Studio and $17,271 (ex GST) allocated to site preparation, communications strategy and development approval costs.

Funds for this project have been earmarked within Council’s budget for several years and carried forward to increase the available budget to $116,497. The remaining $20,953 will be sourced from other budget lines, including the balance of the Creative Arts Fund and the Riddoch operating budget.

The cost of the Beacon Art Project to Council and the community excludes GST. GST is reclaimed by Council and therefore the quoted price for the project is the actual cost - $137,450.

The project is an investment in the city’s cultural vibrancy, aligned with the Community Vision for Mount Gambier 2035.

The contract with artists Huna Studio has now been executed and the art is expected to be installed in 2025. Fabrication of the work will commence in Melbourne in early 2025 with installation scheduled for June 2025.

The project is anticipated to be completed by June 2025.

Council is also committed to focusing on the other important issues. The funding that is being used for the Beacon Art Project has been quarantined over several budgets for the purpose of this project, with a shortfall of about $20,000 covered by our existing arts/cultural budget.

Elected Members endorsed the project at the October 2024 Council meeting following a briefing earlier in the month and after a shortlisting process by the assessment panel.

The formal name of the artwork is ‘Cast in Blue’. We know however that iconic artworks find an identity and description by the community not only their formal name, for instance, the ‘Spheres’ in Rundle Mall have become affectionately known as the ‘Malls Balls’. Often as the community embraces a work and its place in the cultural landscape, a name emerges.