The Shire of Dandaragan in Western Australia recently worked with local high school students to create a memorial art project to foster community spirit.
Art students at Jurien Bay District High School used a toilet block as a canvas recently when they collaborated with the Shire of Dandaragan to revitalise the wall at Jurien Bay Federation Memorial Park.
The Shire of Dandaragan approached Art Teacher Irene Powell to assist them in beautifying a recently renovated blank toilet block wall after the wall had been vandalised and repaired.
She jumped at the opportunity to allow art students in years nine and ten the chance to design and paint a community art mural.
Students worked with the themes of ‘remembrance’ and ‘place’ to design a mural that tied in with the beachside setting and honoured those lost to war.
Mrs Powell said, “Students really enjoyed painting onto the panels [provided by the Shire]; this approach to a mural suits the classroom beautifully”.
This is just one of a number of ways that the Shire’s community development and building services departments work with the local schools to develop leadership and community spirit.
The mural incorporated poppies growing in a seaside setting, and students worked as a group to ensure that each painted panel fit with the following panel.
The mural is now installed on the external wall and a plaque is to be added to acknowledge the students’ work and creativity, and the collaboration between Jurien Bay District High School and the Shire.
