Engaging Local Olympian for Wellbeing-Themed International Women’s Day Project

Education ProjectsWorkshopsSchool MuralYouth ProgramsCreative Hoardings
Written By BOHIE
 

Case Study

 

Overview
Co-created youth mural exploring gender equity, self-belief, and creative confidence.

Client: Seaview High School, Adelaide SA
Location: Adelaide, SA
Year: 2024
Medium: Acrylic on signboard
Category: Youth Voice & Education

 

Empowering Expression Through Street Art

This International Women’s Day mural was co-designed with students from Erindale College in Canberra as part of a youth street art workshop. The project responded to the global theme Choose to Challenge by exploring mental wellbeing, identity, and gender equity through storytelling and hands-on art-making.

The experience included a keynote talk from Olympian Caroline Buchanan, who shared personal insights on overcoming stereotypes and negative thinking. Students participated in a workshop module on Expressive Type, using bold lettering and visual language to affirm self-belief and resilience.

The final mural transformed a city construction hoarding into a vibrant, high-impact statement of youth voice and public empowerment.

 
Youth participant holding a quote from Olympian Caroline Buchanan during an ACT Government video shoot for International Women’s Day.

Youth participant holding up quote from guest speaker Caroline Buchanan for an ACT Government video edit

Artist Bohie Blackwood leading an Expressive Type workshop with students, exploring the power of positive self-talk through lettering and creative expression.

“Expressive Type” workshop with Bohie discussing the power of positive self talk

Olympian Caroline Buchanan with Bohie Blackwood and youth workshop participants at YWCA Mura Lanyon Youth Drop-in Hub in Canberra.

Guest speaker, Olympian Caroline Buchanan, with Bohie and the workshop participants at YWCA Mura Lanyon Youth Drop in Hub

 

My Role

  • Workshop and curriculum design (Expressive Type module)

  • Keynote coordination and student engagement

  • Mural facilitation and lead artist

  • Collaboration with ACT Government and YWCA

Outcomes & Impact

  • Deepened understanding of gender equity and visibility through creative dialogue

  • Inspired new perspectives on public art as a meaningful career path

  • Activated public space with inclusive storytelling and youth leadership

  • Sparked public conversations around empowerment, identity, and mental health

Project participants with ACT Minister for Women, Yvette Berry, at the public media launch of the Choose to Challenge mural project.

Project participants pictured with Yvette Berry, the ACT Minister for Women in public media launch

Australian Olympian Caroline Buchanan speaking to news media about gender equity and youth empowerment during the Choose to Challenge mural launch.

Australian Olympian Caroline Buchanan being interviewed by local news channels about the project

Screenshot of feature article in The Canberra Times highlighting the youth-led Choose to Challenge mural for International Women’s Day 2021.

Feature article in The Canberra Times

Olympian Caroline Buchanan and artist Bohie Blackwood celebrating the completion of the Choose to Challenge youth mural project.

Olympian, Caroline Buchanan, and lead artist, Bohie Blackwood celebrating the project

 

What the Participants Said

“I didn’t know that street art could be... like, a full-time job. But Bohie showed me that not only is it a job, but it’s a really fun thing to do as well.” — Youth participant, Choose to Challenge

BOHIE

Based in Braidwood, NSW, BOHIE creates art, illustration, public space murals, and creative workshopping experiences that explore wonder and connection to each other and to the natural world.

She works alongside educational institutions, government agencies, community focus groups and stewards of the natural world to design change-making campaigns for each creative project. Bohie utilises a research-based methodology to find inspiration for her artworks, resulting in 2D images which are laden with deeper stories and symbolic meaning.

This narrative driven conceptual development injects her unique authenticity and grass-roots integrity into the public arena, which she sees as a conscious challenge to public advertising. In a time of rapid change, extreme instability and a globally recognised feeling of imminent threat, Bohie’s art provides messages of hope and empowerment for a changed future.

https://www.bohie.com.au
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