Spray paint cans have been put to good use as a team of emerging young artists joined forces to create a community mural in Babinda.
The mural is part of Cairns Regional Council's Youth Urban Art Project, which is designed to celebrate local youth, beautify public spaces and encourage young people to consider opportunities in the arts and cultural industries.
At the same time, it engages young people in healthy artistic expression that fosters a sense of connection and ownership over the mural sites and discourages vandalism.
The project involves young people aged 12 to 25, and is made possible with funding support from the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund.
Council has engaged well-known artist Daniel "Wally" Wallwork, who works with local kids, running workshops at each site – teaching them street art techniques.
Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller said projects like this engaged young people and gave them a stronger connection to the community.
"The young people involved in this Urban Art Project have created something that can be enjoyed by the whole community," Cr Moller said.
"This program is putting their skills to great use and they have certainly created something that can be enjoyed by the whole community and, we hope, will give them a real sense of pride.
"The young artists worked with Wally come up with ideas and designs that they felt had meaning to their area.
"He helped them pull those ideas together into a design and then the youth helped him to paint the mural.
"This particular piece truly reflects Babinda – there is reference to the cane industry with the sugar crusher cogs, which is captured alongside the natural beauty of the region with Mt Bartle Frere, the Boulders, and of course a cassowary."
The artwork on the Kingsbury Building in Babinda is the third of six projects planned for this financial year.
The six sites include:
- Keith Edwick Park, Street, Machans Beach
- Sims Esplanade (south end), Yorkeys Knob
- Kingsbury Building, Babinda
- Gordonvale Pool, Gordonvale
- Henley Hill Park, Earlvillle
- Todd Skate Park, Edmonton
