The town’s community wall will soon come alive with vibrant artwork as part of Parkes Shire Council's Public Art Program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new Community Art Wall exhibit will feature the work of 12 local teenagers on the corner of Clarinda and Church streets.
The artwork was created during an art program called ‘Journey into Mystery – Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Art', hosted by Parkes Shire Library.
Art teacher and art therapist Maralyn Nash has been working with the youth through the program.
“One of the objectives of the art classes was to connect with young people, connect with what they are interested in and what they are thinking about,” she said.
"We had many discussions about their vision for the future.
“These current ideas, emotions and feelings, were used to create the art.
“The 12 keen minds enjoyed the interactive learning process, and commented that the team work aspect of the workshops was a particular highlight.
"I enjoyed how we got into a group to start and decided what we should do for our mural.
“My favourite part of the workshop was the team building, getting to work with different people to create multiple art works.”
Parkes Shire Council's manager of cultural education and library services, Shellie Buckle, said the artworks are challenging and colourful, capturing what young people are thinking and worrying about.
“Issues the young artists endeavoured to capture in their work ranged from the recent American elections, terrorism, the ice epidemic, the concept of inner beauty, through to creatures living in the deepest ocean and Parkes' Radio Telescope history," she said.
Shellie said the community art wall provides a central location and unique opportunity for artists, community members and students to hold temporary exhibitions.
The exhibit is part of council's Public Art Program, adding vibrancy to the main street through art.
The community wall has previously featured "waste to art", with the program developed to regularly change the feature, showcasing skills and creativity in the community.
There will be an official launch of the unique artwork and the community is invited to attend.
The launch will take place at the Clarinda and Church streets location at 4pm on Wednesday, February 15.