A Yetman amenities block has been transformed into an eye-catching art piece after four weeks of work from Kelly Jones.
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The red gum-themed mural was a labour of love for the Coolatai artist, who was hired to transform the Terry Barnes Oval bathrooms (now affectionately named the Yetman ARTMenities Block) by the Inverell Shire Council as part of a Youth Opportunities Grant.
The piece followed a two-week project which turned the Ashford Post Office front fence into a vibrant space, celebrating the town’s love of cod fishing.
“It has been a real pleasure to come into our small communities and spend a duration of time doing a mural because I get to meet the people and know the spaces. We have a beautiful region full of beautiful people and places,” Kelly said.
She believes that art has the capacity to change the entire social consciousness of an area, and was thrilled to collaborate with Yetman School students on the project.
“Our kids are so tapped in, tuned in and switched on. Together we are capable of painting a brighter future for our region,” Kelly said.
“(Art) can provide a new vision, shake up the lethargy our villages can fall into and bring the community together.”
Co-ordinated by Inverell councillor Kate Dight, the project has focused on community engagement, and Kelly has themed her artwork to match the villages. The students took part in the painting, and designed their own murals for the amenities block, which are expected to be framed in the area.
Kelly is a strong believer of the power of murals and op shops to bring tourism to rural villages, and describes the combination as “a recipe for success”.
“While I’ve been painting, I have had countless caravaners pull up to say something to me, all of them hot on the trail of the Victorian Art Silos, eager and excited to pull over and admire the piece of art,” she said.
She said that murals, regardless of whether they’re liked or disliked, create conversations and make townscapes more stimulating.
Yetman Caravan Park visitors Lance and Sandra Picton said they were impressed by the tiny town.
“We are part of the geriatric gypsy community, the 360,000 travelers on the road at any one day in Australia and growing,” they said.
“We have come through so many little villages that have died and and it is a pleasure to see a community that is actively involved.”
Kelly is not done yet, and is headed back to Ashford with the intention of turning an empty shop front into “the most enchanting op shop NSW has ever seen”.
“Painted giant trees are going to spill out and start seeding a thriving new future in the main street of Ashford. A living canvass. Art that has many purposes,” she said.
“The great thing working as an artist out here, is firstly there is so many paintable spaces with run down buildings and shop fronts and secondly, when you add colour, it pops against the khaki background of our natural environment.”
Fiona Adams, ISC Grants Officer sourced the opportunity grant funding and has created a lasting legacy for the future.