Published on Monday, 21 May 2018 at 12:00:00 AM
Over the April school holidays, renowned artist Emma Blyth visited Pannawonica to create a vibrant mural for the community hall.
So the mural could be a true showcase of community participation, local children worked with Emma over two workshops during the April School Holiday program. The result was a vibrant masterpiece which measures 10m x 2.5m.
More than simply putting paint on a wall, Emma Blyth used the workshops to impart her knowledge and skill, teaching the children as much as she could about the art process.
Emma started by showing the kids her visual for the mural, and the role they would play in its creation. The children then worked with Emma to sand wooden cut-outs in the shape of bungarras, corellas and dragonflies. Once the cut-outs were smooth, the children painted a base-coat and worked on the design they would paint on the second day.
More than 50 cut-outs were painted, with some spares given to the local daycare to paint too.
Emma then got to work on painting the mural, with the kids cut-outs placed onto the wall to enhance the colourful reflection of the Pannawonica landscape.
Shire President Kerry White said coordinating Emma to come to Pannawonica was a great accomplishment, made possible through the Shire’s partnership with Rio Tinto.
“The school holiday program is always popular with children and parents, and having Emma Blyth work with the local community was a great opportunity,” said Cr White. “In addition to the remarkable mural that now has pride of place in the town, the art workshops inspired residents of all ages to have a go at being creative.”
Rio Tinto Maintenance and Fixed Plant Manager, Marianne Hoareau said that the mural had brought the space to life.
“Emma Blyth has created a piece of work that captures the essence of Pannawonica and the landscape that surrounds our community in a creative and inclusive display. It was great to see the integration of artwork by the local community into the final piece.”
The mural was unveiled this weekend at Reflections of Robe Valley, a community showcase event that also included the Colour Community Fun Run, the Reflections of Robe Valley art awards, fun activities, food and entertainment.
Emma Blyth’s visit to Pannawonica was made possible through the School Holiday Program, as part of the Shire’s Community Infrastructure Services Partnership with Rio Tinto.
A successful artist, Emma is inspired by the outback and her designs are sold throughout the State. From waterfalls and brolgas of the Kimberley, cockatoos flying over spectacular gorges in Karijini, turquoise bays of the Broome coast, and the forests of WA’s southwest, Emma uses large brush strokes and vibrant colours to portray a range of Australian scenes.
As part of the community showcase event, the the Reflections of Robe Valley art awards were judged with all entries on display in a vibrant exhibition.
Winners of the awards are as follows;
Petite Picassos (0 – 4 years) – Dakoda Valenta
Mini Monet’s (5 – 7 years) – Benjamin Miller
Panna Protégé (8 – 12 years) – Jessica Sylva
Young Adult (13 – 17 years) – Hineriu Wynard-Thompson
Adult (18 years +) – Chelmain Tsakalos
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