Work has started on one of three murals in Elringtons Lane to spruce up the Kempsey CBD and boost local skills.
Kempsey Shire Council’s project to revitalise laneways in Kempsey has kicked off with footpath improvements and the creation of public art.
The artistic theme for the laneways project is From the Mountains to the Sea, drawn from the community’s 20 year strategic plan 2042: Your Future.
Aisha Spokes, Council Project Officer, said the art in the laneways will celebrate the natural beauty of our area, the diversity of our people and the shared history of our whole community.
“At the heart of the Macleay Valley is Kempsey and we are celebrating this in these artworks,” said Mrs Spokes.
“The art will produce feelings of belonging, happiness and pride for Kempsey and surrounding areas through beautiful imagery. The subjects have been selected based on feedback from our community.”
The first mural is being painted by landscape artist Daniel Hend. The artwork is a traditional style panoramic landscape of the Macleay Valley.
Daniel is mentoring local artist Malcolm Dickson during this project, teaching him skills and techniques in large scale mural works.
Street artist Damon Moroney from Iknograffix will also lead a team of local artists to create a second beautiful mural. This will be installed on the old Elringtons Produce building that is now the Macleay Martial Arts building.
“As a nod to the historic Elringtons Produce Store, this work will celebrate Kempsey’s agricultural industry and farming communities” said Mrs Spokes.
A third mural will be designed and installed in collaboration with local elders and Aboriginal artists, including Aunty Caroline Bradshaw, Aunty Lyn Holten and Frank McLeod, on the current Aboriginal Employment Strategy building.
Realised with assistance from Creative Community Projects, traditional Dunghutti and Thunggutti imagery will inspire this artwork and celebrate our local Aboriginal community.
