Wander around the streets of Shellharbour's suburbs, and you might find yourself admiring vibrant, larger-than-life artworks adorning the sides of buildings.
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Five new murals were painted for Shellharbour City Council's inaugural More Things Like This event, a mural festival that took place last month.
Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba said the council's events team came up with the idea for the festival when looking for an alternative Australia Day event, after the COVID-19 pandemic made the usual Breakfast by the Lake too risky.
Since then, Cr Saliba said she had received lots of positive feedback on the new artworks, and they had generated lots of buzz on social media.
They were painted by five artists, some local and some from further afield: David Cragg, Trait, Claire Foxton, Gus Eagleton, and Scott Nagy and Krimsone.
Cr Saliba said the artists were briefed to create murals that were "distinctly Illawarra", and represented the community.
The artworks feature flora and fauna residents would recognise: the Illawarra flame tree can be seen on the side of the IMB building in Warilla, while the superb fairywren sits on Oak Flats' Bendigo Bank.
Cr Saliba acknowledged the artists and their "amazing job", as well as the work of the council staff who worked on bringing art and culture to the city.
She said public art was really important.
When she was growing up in Shellharbour, she said, the community and council alike were "really just managing to make ends meet".
But she said the council had experienced a "coming of age" since its reinstatement in 2011, and had since had the opportunity to "enjoy the finer things in life", like art and culture - including public art.
"It really is a way of expressing who we are as a community, as well as providing something for people to enjoy," Cr Saliba said.
She said the artwork also had the bonus effect of preventing graffiti.
The council worked with the owners of each of the buildings to make the murals a reality.
Verb Syndicate, the group behind Wonderwalls, was also involved in the festival.
The new murals can be found at:
- Shellharbour Village, Addison Street; artwork by Gus Eagleton
- Shellharbour City Stadium, Croom; artwork by David Cragg
- Bendigo Bank, Griffiths Street, Oak Flats; artwork by Claire Foxton
- Warilla Medical Centre, McKeon Lane, Warilla; artwork by Scott Nagy and Krimsone
- IMB Bank, McKeon Lane, Warilla; artwork by Trait
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
