The busy intersection at Fitzmaurice and Johnston Streets has received an injection of vibrant colour with a new mural due for completion this week.
The building wall facing onto Johnston Street has been transformed into a stunning mural, painted by Patrick Hunter as part of Council's endorsed Public Art Plan 2022-2026.
The mural, titled Happy Dance, features two brolgas, famous for their elaborate dancing rituals and once a familiar silhouette in Wagga Wagga. The brolgas meet for a joyful dance of renewal, with soft golds, violets and warm reds evoking dusk or dawn, with River Red Gums framing the scene.
Patrick Hunter is an environmental artist whose designs are about blending art with purpose.
"For me, community and environment are one and the same, and a mural becomes a way to bring people together around the places and stories they share," Patrick said.
"The brolga has become rare in this region, so I wanted this mural to be a celebration of what remains and a tip of the hat to Wiradyuri and First Nations land custodians along with community groups, landholders and conservationists quietly doing the work to keep the habitat alive and the brolgas dancing."
Wagga-based local artist Tina de Jong was engaged to assist with the painting of the mural.
"As an emerging artist, it's been invaluable having the chance to work with Pat on a project of this scale. Characterising the unique, local environment is a big part of both of our arts practice, so it has been a great pairing," Tina said.
"He has been an inspiring, supportive mentor on the technical aspects of this amazing work. I have also enjoyed his views on people's relationship with their surroundings and public art."
Council's Cultural Officer Lauren Reynolds said the project was an opportunity to bring some more vibrancy to the CBD and the busy intersection.
"Public art creates a sense of place and is a way of telling our Wagga stories in unique and creative ways," Lauren said.
"Close to the Wollundry Lagoon and Cultural Precinct, and highly visible from Fitzmaurice Street, this new mural I'm sure will spark new conversations and be an attraction for locals and visitors to the city."
