Local artist and curator, Melanie Caple, and four students from Mirboo North Secondary College painted a new mural in Mirboo North last week after 12 months of planning.
The mural, which was designed by Melanie, not only incorporated elements of the students’ winning designs, but it reconnects with Dennis Leversha’s original; a circle of his gum trees are a key feature in the new design.
The students, Morgan Finnegan, Jett Gundy, Jobeka Siaman and Lily Smith, had won the opportunity to paint alongside Melanie in a Design competition run by the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation (the Community Foundation) with the help of Sue Wearne, Arts Teacher at Mirboo North Secondary College.
See winners annouced here: “Community Foundations are all about strengthening people and place and this project not only continues to build the creative capacity within the community, but creates a beautiful space for our young people,” explained Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Community Foundation. “We are thrilled with the resulting mural and how it completes this space that the whole community can enjoy.”
Winners announced here.
“I was excited by the creativity and talent that each of the four brought to the wall and the painting of this mural,” said Melanie Caple. “With a little guidance here and there, these amazing young people got right to work. Not only was the process really enjoyable, but the outcome is fabulous.”
“Melanie taught us about the process of painting a design on such a large scale. It was a really fun and educational experience,” added Lily Smith (Year 7).
Painting started on Monday 6th December, and was completely finished by Saturday 11th December, despite some wet weather. The activity caused a great buzz on Mirboo North’s Ridgway, with passers-by enquiring about each element as it was painted and revealed.
“I like to use native flora and fauna to draw attention to our fragile and vibrant landscape, often using lesser-known species, like the native Scarlet Robin which can be seen at Lyrebird Walk,” explained Melanie.
This mural is located in the courtyard at Co-space in Mirboo North and follows on from a project in 2020 where local artists Isley Sutherland and Jenneke Kijlstra Shone worked with young women to create a beautiful seating structure made out of large slabs of locally milled cyprus.
“Community Foundations are all about strengthening people and place and this project not only continues to build the creative capacity within the community, but creates a beautiful space for our young people,” explained Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Community Foundation. “We are thrilled with the resulting mural and how it completes this space that the whole community can enjoy.”
Co-space is a collaborative community space owned by the Community Foundation with hot desks, a meeting room and office facilities for community groups, businesses and individuals. To find out more or book a spot, see https://mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au/book-cospace/