By Raquel Mustillo
THE IMAGINE Millicent Arts Group hopes to generate some buzz with a new three-dimensional mural featuring depicting colony of bees on the town’s landmark Beehive Corner.
Internationally renowned mural artist Mike Makatron is due to finish the project on the corner of George Street and North Terrace today after starting the mammoth mural on Monday.
The Adelaide-based artist said he was inspired to create the lifelike piece using the nature-based theme of “wind, water and wings”, with the design derived from research into the late 1800’s building – formerly known as Beehive Corner.
“Bees are very topical for a lot of reasons,” Mr Makatron said.
“The owner of the building was into 3D art and hopefully it will look like there is a hole in the building when you view it from a distance.
“I am also trying to replicate the stone work underneath the three windowsills and work with the building in my own way.
” The latest project follows a number of murals undertaken Millicent over the past three years, starting with the Mimby Jones Robinson mural in 2018, the community piano project with Jeremy Ievins, the Millicent Skate Park squid and Mel Spurling’s shell scape in the Domain in 2020.
“It is cool the town is personally connected to art and I think it’s also good for young people growing up because not everybody is into sport,” Mr Makatron said.
“Art is such a diverse thing and it’s something along with music everyone can appreciate.
“There’s a lot of inspiration around and hopefully young people get into it.”
Imagine Millicent Arts Group mural project manager Lee Morgan said the project aimed to capture the imagination of visitors and residents and encourage people to explore the town’s shopping precinct.
“The Imagine Millicent Arts Group team has been hard-working with strenuous fundraising such as raffles and garden days, assisted by some generous donations from the business community and a community grant from the Wattle Range Council,” he said.
“A huge thank you must go to building owner Andrew Pratt from SECO Homes who made a significant investment to get the wall prepared for Mr Makatron’s beehive.”
