A SIGNIFICANT splash of colour has been added to Mount Gambier’s Commerce Arcade thanks to a collaborative art mural involving Tenison Woods College students and visual artists Justin and Aileen Clarke.
The artwork, Shine in the South East, was primarily developed by students who worked under the guidance of the Clarkes, paying homage to the region’s natural elements, including the ocean, caves and the popular ghost mushrooms.
The Mount Gambier City Council funded project was launched in May with students visiting the central business district site to help the Clarkes bring the vision to life.
“I am really happy with how the mural turned out and got good feedback from it, especially from the older community members who have said there needs to be more artwork around town,” Mr Clarke said.
“It’s great people want to see more of it and realise that it is art and not graffiti and when people take the time and the effort to put it together it can be appreciated.”
Mr Clarke said Commerce Arcade was the first outdoor mural he had completed but he hoped to expand his resume, with commissioned artworks at Treehouse Adventure Cafe and the Oatmill Cinema Complex in the works.
“Wherever we are allowed to go and whether it is down some of the side streets we just want to put more art around the town,” he said.
“I’m also open to continue to work alongside schools, other artists or other collaborative ideas.
“When you work with other people you get more ideas and a better result.”
Council arts and culture development officer Serena Wong said the project was inspirational to any Limestone Coast artists considering applying for council’s next round of Creative Arts Fund grants.
“Justin’s mural is an outstanding example of how much a space can be improved with the right artwork,” she said.
“It makes me excited to see what projects will come to life when we launch the next round of the Creative Arts Fund, which will open for applications in coming months.”
