After plans to host an exhibition in her backyard were thwarted by COVID-19 restrictions, Janine Hellard instead turned her front garden into an outdoor exhibition space, allowing those passing by to enjoy art.
“Because of COVID, I couldn’t invite people over. So, I thought I could do it for the people going by,” she said.
“I always have a little basket out front for fruit and things from the garden that people can take, and this was just another level to it.
“You meet a lot of people when you’re in the garden. They’re going by and you have a chat over the fence.”
Janine’s community artwork display started on 25 September and has highlighted different themes each day, including COVID-19 lockdowns, collages, paintings of chooks, replicas of famous paintings and recognisable things, portraits and whimsical works.
She also recently encouraged local children to create their own works of art and submit them for display outside her home at 21 Vale Street.
“I’m not putting anything out for sale or anything like that, it’s just an interest for people going by. It’s good fun, really good for community engagement and a great way of meeting neighbours.”
Neighbour Sean Jameson said: “It’s been incredible seeing and hearing people come together to admire Janine’s diverse work. I think Janine’s project is a great example of local community engagement making our lockdown experience richer.”
Janine will be exhibiting work in her Vale Street garden for the remainder of October.
