From Plate to Playground

The new community Mural, unveiled today at the Wagga Wagga Marketplace

When the chance arose to add my mark to a community-driven mural at the Wagga Wagga Marketplace, I was honoured and excited. The opportunity wasn't just about showcasing my artwork but contributing to a collective narrative of our community.

The Wagga Wagga Marketplace recently embarked on a project to create a community mural for its new indoor playpark. The play equipment itself is designed to reflect our community and surroundings with motifs including canola fields and a silo.

The accompanying mural, spearheaded by Elaine Camlin of Unique State Art Space, promised to represent the native flora and fauna of the Wagga Wagga area. Elaine contacted local artists who regularly attend workshops at Unique State for contributions, and I was honoured to be among those invited.

My completed print, ready to be included in the mural.

I chose the Southern Bell Frog for my contribution, a beautiful and sadly endangered local species. Its colours range from olive to bright emerald green. As a significant inhabitant along the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, it deeply resonates with our regional narrative, underscoring the pressing need to protect our local biodiversity.

While participating in a dry-point etching class at Unique State, I chose this process and used techniques like selective plate wiping for plate tone to bring my frog to life. However, depicting the frog's vibrant colours posed a challenge. Initially, I employed chine collé, using green Japanese colored papers. However, with Elaine's guidance, I introduced hand-colouring with pencils, adding depth and detail to the piece.

Today, I attended the unveiling of the mural and the opening of the playpark. Seeing the fruits of our labour and the creativity and community spirit of the whole project was a joy. I was grateful to be able to contribute to the space, not just for the chance to be a part of this narrative but for the community shared with fellow artists.

My little Southern Bell Frog has his place in the mural by a serene waterhole.

I invite you to visit the Wagga Wagga Marketplace and witness this magnificent community art piece. Immerse yourself in the stories it tells, the history it celebrates, and the future it inspires.

Additional Resources:

Details about the opening of the playground
The revealing of the playpark’s name Windmill Park
Unique State Art Space
Elaine Camlin

I’d love to know, have you ever participated in a community project? What did you contribute, and how did it make you feel?