Artist Katira in front of one of her completed artworks.
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Creative Echuca is calling on local businesses, commercial property owners and the wider community to help bring a new community-designed mural to life by providing the one thing the project still needs: a wall.
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With funding secured through Campaspe Shire Council’s Arts and Culture Grants Program and paint generously supplied by Dulux, the Creative Echuca Community Mural Project is ready to begin.
The only piece of the puzzle still missing is the perfect location.
Creative Echuca project lead Mel Floyd said the project had been shaped by the community from the very beginning.
“The project has always been about creating something bold, vibrant and unique to Echuca, inspired by the people and places that make Echuca special,” she said.
An original site had been secured but later became unavailable, prompting the search for a new location.
Katira working on a project in Melbourne.
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To ensure the artwork reflected the community, Creative Echuca held an online survey and a workshop attended by about 20 residents, led by Melbourne-based mural artist Katira.
Participants discussed what Echuca meant to them and identified themes that best represented the town.
“People kept coming back to the rivers, sunsets, wildlife, community, creativity and the connections they have to this place,” Ms Floyd said.
Creative Echuca also consulted First Nations Elder Aunty Denise Morgan Bullen, whose insights helped shape the mural’s focus on caring for Country and the importance of passing on knowledge to future generations.
Ms Floyd said another recurring theme was the desire for more opportunities for young people and greater representation of the arts in Echuca.
Drawing on everything she heard and experienced during the consultation, Katira has designed a vibrant, large-scale mural that beautifully captures the stories, landscapes and community spirit that make this region so special.
“What Katira has created is a beautiful design that reflects everything she heard, saw and experienced,” Ms Floyd said.
Artist Katira leading the community workshop.
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Creative Echuca is seeking a flat brick wall, about 14 metres wide and six metres high, in a prominent public location where the mural can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
“We’re looking for something quite visible to the public, so everyone can enjoy it. We want it to become a bit of a showpiece,” Ms Floyd said.
She said the mural could also become an attraction for the successful property owner.
“It could bring people to your business or that part of town. It’s a great opportunity to get behind a beautiful project that’s got some really strong design and community consultation behind it,” she said.
With Katira due to head overseas, the aim is to have the mural completed by July or August — so time is of the essence for any interested property owners.
Businesses or property owners interested in offering a suitable wall can contact Mel Floyd on 0400 434 966 or email creativeechuca@gmail.com
Follow the project's journey on Facebook and Instagram: @creativeechuca.
