Coolatai artist Kelly Jones has a passion for rural communities, and the way art can transform them.
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“I really enjoy that I can paint a mural in Ashford and have it change the whole town, versus me doing one in the city, which would be like a blip on the radar,” she said.
The river-themed mural, which draws attention to the the town’s post office, is one of many Kelly has painted in the shire over the years, including a stage and mural at Ashford Preschool and a Dr Seuss-themed piece for the Warialda Toy Library.
It was created in a bid catch the attention of tourists and encourage them to take an interest in the community.
“The Ashford Post Office is the heart of the community,” Kelly said. She said brightening up the space would have a significant impact on the town.
“It just makes it feel like it’s alive again. Something’s happening. Something’s changing.”
In creating the piece, Kelly said she considered Ashford’s ‘vibe’, and the town’s love for cod fishing. The long space provided lended itself well to the river motif.
Ashford Central School students were given the chance to work Kelly, as the mural was commissioned by the Inverell Shire Council as part of a broader It Starts with You project.
Mayor Paul Harmon said the project was a year-long initiative of youth activities, supported by the council and funded by NSW Youth Opportunities program.
“The project is all about offering youth right across the shire opportunities to be involved in their community, through cultural, sporting and educational programs,” he said.
“The mural in Albury Street provides Ashford students a unique chance to work with a professional artist and also enables youth to have a hand in creating a work of art for the community to enjoy.”
The artwork aimed to reflect the unique landscape and character of Ashford.
“Rurals out here represent the light, movement. Things are happening. Growth, hope,” Kelly said.
Kelly has taken a unique path to her work in rural Australia, beginning her artistic career as a graphic designer in Japan.
She paid her rent in a Buddhist monastery with her design skills. When she moved to Coolatai eight years ago, Kelly learned to transfer her digital art knowledge to the world outside, becoming a sign painter. This was how she discovered her passion for small-town murals.
A passionate advocate for the power of art in transforming rural communities and combatting economic decline, Kelly said she dreamed of turning Ashford into a town of murals, much like Sheffield in Tasmania.
“By the mid-1980s, the people of Sheffield realised the gorgeous setting wasn’t enough to attract enough tourists, so they formed a tourism association and turn Sheffield into an outdoor mural art gallery,” she said.
“With a population of around 1,000, Sheffield now manages to draw in over 220,000 tourists every year, eager to admire the beautiful murals that decorate the town.”
“The vision for Ashford – and the whole town has this vision now – is to become the mural capital of NSW.”
Cr Harmon said the youth program will also see contemporary art classes and further mural workshops later in the year.
Kelly’s next project in the shire is the amenities block in Yetman, and she said it will focus on the natural environment, including the town’s signature red gums.