Shellharbour City Council will celebrate Australia Day 2021 with a new program that will see live large-scale art installations pop-up across the City.
The City's first-ever mural festival will feature five artists painting simultaneously across different locations, with residents encouraged to drop in and watch as the designs develop across the day.
Featured artists and locations include:
David Cragg at Shellharbour City Stadium, Croom Gus Eagleton at Addison Street, Shellharbour Village
Claire Foxton at Bendigo Bank, Oak Flats, Griffiths Street
Scott Nagy and Krimsone at Warilla Medical Centre, McKeon Lane, Warilla
Trait at IMB Bank, McKeon Lane car park, Warilla
Be witness to the various artistic styles and approaches of these five respected artists. A range of local flora and fauna are incorporated into the designs, including Claire's Superb Fairyrwen, David's Yellowtail Black Cockatoos, Trait's Illawarra Flame Tree and Krimsone/Scott Nagy's Weedy Sea Dragon. Each artist possesses a delightful signature style, and the murals are sure to be as eclectic and exciting as their colour palettes. Local singer-songwriter, Emma Jones will be playing live at the Oak Flats site from 10am to 12pm, and DJ Munch will be bringing the beats at Warilla from 10am to 2pm. These sites will also have COVID-safe snack stations available for the community to enjoy.
Council has partnered with creative studio Verb Syndicate, creators of the internationally renowned 'Wonderwalls Festival' to bring this new event to life. Verb Syndicate will also be filming and sharing the artwork developments on social media.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the mural festival was a unique opportunity for the community to come together, reflect and celebrate.
"The artists painting on the day have developed designs with the aim to enhance connection to place, as well as create a sense of pride and joy. They feature vibrant colours and are inspired by the array of flora and fauna local to the Shellharbour area," Cr Saliba said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the process of how the artworks come together, as well as the ongoing positive impacts that these artworks will bring to our city," she said.
Founder of Verb Syndicate Simon Grant said that he was excited to partner with Council.
"The project is such an innovative way to celebrate during uncertain times. Featuring an amazing line up of local and national talent, I can't wait to see what the final results will be.
Shellharbour, Wollongong and Kiama Councils have also partnered with Historical Aviation Restoration Society (HARS) to conduct an aircraft and helicopter flyover to mark the day.
The aircraft flyover will depart Shellharbour Airport at 11am and will head down to Kiama then make their way up the coast to Bald Hill. At 5pm, a helicopter towing the Australian flag will commence a flight across the region, starting at Gerroa and making its way to Bald Hill.
