THE designer of the 2019 Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival promotional image has recreated her work on a prominent wall in the town’s central business district.
After winning the honour at the 2018 festival, MJ Pureza was joined by Alison White over the weekend to paint the logo on the Penola Vet Centre, bringing a splash of colour to the central building.
The Sydney-based designer offered to visit during the festival to reproduce her work as a public art installation.
“It was really lovely to win the competition last year,” Ms Pureza said.
“I have friends living here in Penola who told me about the competition so I decided to give it a try.
“When I found out I won I was touched and offered to come down and paint the logo on a wall as a mural.”
Visiting South Australia for the first time, Ms Pureza and fellow artist Ms White said the response from the local community had been positive.
“We have had people continuously come up to us and tell us how great it looks,” Ms Pureza said.
“It is really nice to get that kind of instant feedback rather than just people commenting on your work on social media.
“It is so different having people walking past and saying that it is great.”
Both artists praised the Penola community for their support over the weekend.
“It is a very lovely town and there is such a great community feel to it with people asking if they can help or buying us coffees it has been amazing,” Ms White said.
“I believe MJ’s logo really speaks to the people of the town because we have received so many comments about how much they love it and how well it suits the town.”
Recently looking for an excuse to plan an “artistic weekend away” both artists agreed the festival was the perfect opportunity.
“It gave us an opportunity to travel and do some art which we love doing but we have also been testing the local wine as well,” Ms White said.
Both agreed if invited they would be more than happy to return next year for another mural.
“There are so many walls here which would be amazing to paint on,” Ms Pureza said.
“If we were invited back we would make the trip and love to come back.”
