Young people encouraged to help shape Stawell mural design

Northern Grampians Shire residents can contribute to the design of a new mural at Stawell Skate Park by participating in a range of art-inspired workshops. 

The Blender Studios team will host five workshops during the April school holidays, aimed at teaching mural art skills to primary and secondary-aged students. 

Mayor Karen Hyslop said she was excited to see the shire’s youth have an opportunity to shape the mural’s final design, while learning from experienced artists. 

“Blender Studios is an urban and fine-art studio based in Melbourne and we are thrilled to have members of the team present workshops in Stawell,” she said. 

“The workshop series will provide opportunities for primary and secondary-age students to learn stencilling and spray-can street art techniques, creating their own art to take home. 

“Imagery and conversations during the workshops will help shape the mural design.” 

Artists will run the workshops at North Park clubrooms over two days, starting on Wednesday, April 9. 

The first, from 12pm to 1.30pm, is a pre-cut stencil workshop for young people in grades three and up.  

The second workshop, from 2pm to 4.30pm for youth aged 10 and older, involves an artist talk and spray-can and sketch activities. 

Cr Hyslop said a third workshop, open to the wider community, would also enable valuable local input to help inform the mural design.  

The Community Mural Design Workshop is from 5pm to 7.15pm. 

“This workshop also has a practical component with both a collage and a precut stencil workshops incorporated into the session,” she said. 

On Thursday, April 10, the Blender Studios team will repeat workshops one and two, in reverse order. 

People can click here for more information or to book a workshop. The workshops are free of charge but participants still need to register online.  

The Blender Studios team will start painting the mural in May this year, with an official opening planned for June.  

Cr Hyslop said the mural project stemmed from community input calling for more public art in Stawell, particularly murals. 

“After investigating several sites, council decided the skate park site at North Park Sports Precinct was the most appropriate,” she said. 

“I’m excited to see Blender Studios appointed to deliver the project and that they are incorporating the community’s feedback in the design. 

“I look forward to the finished result.”