Alpine Shire high school students have worked with an internationally acclaimed artist to explore a serious issue in a creative way.
Alpine Shire Council is facilitating the Bus Stop Project, a creative project aimed at increasing awareness of climate change and engaging local young people in the topic.
Renowned Australian artist Reko Rennie joined students from Myrtleford and Bright P-12 Colleges, Mount Beauty High School and Marian College at the Bright Community Centre on Friday, 19 July to explore climate change and learn the technique of stencil art.
The students created eight large panels of Street Art, which will eventually be permanently installed at school bus shelters across the Alpine Shire.
Council’s Project Development Officer Pat Easterbrook said the project explored climate change through art but was grounded thoroughly in the latest research.
“At the beginning of the session we presented the latest research from the Climate Commission publication The Critical Decade: Extreme Weather.
“This research helped inspire these fantastic works of art, which are just a brilliant, colourful and engaging way for students to explore an issue that is highly relevant to their generation and those which follow.
Once the works are finalised at each of the schools they will head off as a travelling exhibition to Mount Beauty, Myrtleford and Bright.
Ms Easterbrook said the work would eventually be installed at local bus shelters to provide an eye-catching visual art display to residents and visitors, while highlighting important messages about climate change.
“The aim of this project was to engage our local youth in exploring this issue in a way they found relevant, creative and enjoyable.
“We’re all so impressed by the quality of the work, and having them on permanent display for everyone to see is a fitting way to show what our young people think about climate change.”
