ARTWORK SET TO TRANSFORM BALLINA

By Sarah Waters

Ballina’s CBD could get a whole lot brighter.

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) and Ballina Shire Council want to hear from artists who would like to participate in a public street art project.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being sought from artists who can paint a mural at a specific site or reproduce a piece of existing artwork, which could be pasted up on buildings or sheds.

Local artists add their piece of artwork to Lennox Head Skate Park

The artwork will be displayed around the Ballina CBD at locations which could do with a makeover, including the car park behind the main street, Holden Lane and buildings which are often graffitied.

Council’s Sustainability Planner Skye McNamara said the street art project provided an opportunity for both businesses and artists to get on board.

“The CBD would benefit from a bit of a spruce up and some vibrancy,” Ms McNamara said.

“It’s a demonstration to property owners in the CBD that street art can also work in limiting the amount of unwanted tagging and graffiti that goes on.

“A lot of effort goes into removing graffiti and this has been shown to really reduce the amount of tagging and graffiti in many places.

“It’s also a way to support our talented local artists and get recognition for their work.”

Ms McNamara said Council was not only looking for mural art, but paste-up pieces which could be put up temporarily.

Limited funding is available to install painted murals and paste-up artwork on sites in the CBD area.

The completed mural at Lennox Head Skate Park

All artists are encouraged to enter their EOI by August 14.

A number of artists will then be shortlisted and invited to submit artwork for the project.

All art projects will need to be completed by October 14.

For further information please visit the Northern Rivers Community Gallery website.

For more entertainment news, click here.