June was ‘Mural Month’ in our City with gifted artists working in various spaces across our community.
Murals are much more than artistic expression and aesthetics. They have the ability to create a new identity for an area, they can address graffiti and tagging issues, showcase our community's history and stories, share messages about our environment and breathe new life into spaces and on buildings.
We've worked with brilliant artists Melanie Caple, TaylrJay, Julia Blanka, Damien Mitchell and James Smith and also with students from Grange Primary School to create a host of stunning new murals.
Find out more about each mural below and see how they've transformed each space. We encourage everyone to view the murals in-person too once they are completed.
Thank you to all the talented artists, students and community members involved in 'Mural Month'.
Halsey Road Pump Station Mural at Henley Beach - Melanie Caple and Rick Rutjens
Melanie and Rick transformed our Pump Station at Halsey Road, Henley Beach as part of the Breakout Creek/Karrawirra Pari restoration project.
A key feature of this redevelopment is the creation of habitat for the endangered Australasian Bittern, White Faced Heron and aquatic species such as the Pouched Lamprey and Galaxias – all which feature in this beautiful multi-faced mural.
Watch a video of the incredible transformation and be sure to check out the real deal in-person once the project is completed in the coming weeks.
Hooded Plover Mural at Henley Beach South Outlet - TaylrJay and community members
Adelaide Hills artist TaylrJay engaged with local community members to create a vibrant mural at the River Torrens/Karrawirra Pari Outlet at Henley Beach South.
This piece is not only stunning to the eye, but also shares an important educational message encouraging visitors to maintain effective control when walking their dogs through the area to help protect Hooded Plovers and their nesting sites.
Thank you to SA Water for their partnership in helping us bring this idea to life.
Grange Lakes Reserve Mural - Julia Blanka and Grange Primary School students
Artist Julia Blanka specialises in creative projects working with children and teamed up with students from Grange Primary School to brighten up an Exeloo at the adjacent Grange Lakes Reserve.
Julia helped students sketch detailed drawings of local flora and fauna which was then adapted onto the new facility to add a brilliant splash of colour and personality to the Reserve.
The final product is a fantastic reminder to the students of what they can achieve when they work together and also highlights the wonderful biodiversity of our City.
Henley and Grange RSL Mural - Damien Mitchell
US/Australian-based artist Damien Mitchell has transformed the Henley and Grange RSL with a feature piece showcasing the history of the RSL and its members from the 1900s to the present.
The mural was developed in partnership with RSL members incorporating all three armed forces from World War I through to the Afghanistan War and features both men and women at war and at home. The mural begins with black and white and sepia tones before transitioning into full colour as it moves from the 20th century through to the present day.
Damien is an Australian artist who has painted murals on water towers in Walla Walla and Uranquinty NSW through to large scale works in the US and Ghana. He regularly works with communities to develop designs and specialises in large-scale realistic murals.
Collins Reserve Mural - James Smith
Visual artist and digital creator James Smith - known as 'The Walking Creative' - used his trademark style incorporating eye-catching colours and designs in a mural at Collins Reserve on Valetta Road, Kidman Park.
This piece features an educational angle highlighting the importance of having dogs on leads for the safety of the wider community and also perfectly matches the playful and exciting vibe of this much-loved community space.
19 on Green Mural - Wyatt Trust, Bowden Brompton Community School and Lucinda Penn
We were proud to unveil a colourful mural at our 19 on Green Community Centre at Brompton, thanks to a collaborative effort between Wyatt Trust, Bowden Brompton Community School and artist Lucinda Penn.
Our Community Development team initially conducted a workshop with students of Bowden Brompton Community School to create a survey to engage local residents on themes, colours, symbols and stories to be included in the mural. One student's design (featured in the gallery below) was of particular inspiration and became the foundation of the mural, incorporating the history of industrialisation of the area, the growth and change of the region and how people in the local community continue to connect and support one another.
The artist Lucinda finalised the design and also involved the students in painting the mural, which was revealed much to the delight of family members, school staff, Council staff, local community members, Councillors and Mayor Angela Evans who were all in attendance at the launch.
