Community Engagement Mural Workshop at Narrabundah Sports Field
“Before” Photos
Covered in graffiti, all four sides of this sports pavilion (235sq/m) required a complete makeover.
“After” Photos
We were awarded a grant from the ACT Government to facilitate the mural transformation with the assistance of Lisa Petheram from the Transport Canberra and City Services department.
30 students from nearby Narrabundah College signed up for the project, as well as a handful of seniors from Canberra’s “Silver Sprayers”.
Workshopping The Concept
After Faith and I introduced ourselves and our work, we asked the workshop participants to consider the theme, “Movement”, and how to translate a physical 3D action into a 2D static drawing. Utilising colour, typography, graphic elements and mark-making, we finished the workshop with a collective of ideas, leaving Faith and I to personally design the final artworks.
Faith photographed local athletes who use the Narrabundah sports facilities for training each week. We asked them to speak to the workshop participants about what being part of a team meant to them, and how our mural makeover of the pavilion will raise morale.
Executing The Mural Transformation In 3 Days
With three, 4 hour, windows to execute this mammoth transformation, Faith and I really had to consider designing an artwork that allowed for a quick and smooth installation. We projected the artwork on to the wall prior to the participants arriving, and used a ‘colour-by-numbers’ method to allow for independence. We provided a painting demo, and educated the participants on proper work place conduct, technique and clean up to ensure a smooth process for all involved.
It was a huge week for all involved, particularly for Faith and I who arrived early and stayed late to finalise the piece. The last day had us painting alone into the evening to finish the artwork and clean up all the materials. Thankfully, we stayed late enough to catch the sports field participants who began showing up for their evening training!
It was fantastic receiving such positive feedback from the people who are going to actually be looking and interacting with our art. I was particularly stoked to see this group of gym go-ers pose for a shot in front of the “perseverance” feature wall. High fives all round! Then home for a long night’s rest.