Home

Town’s merry mural a hit

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Bodie Edwards, 18 months, and City of Busselton cultural development officer Jacquie Happ enjoy a photo at the wings mural, which was comissioned for the WanderArt series.
Camera IconBodie Edwards, 18 months, and City of Busselton cultural development officer Jacquie Happ enjoy a photo at the wings mural, which was comissioned for the WanderArt series. Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee

The first phase of the Dunsborough WanderArt series has been completed, pushing the boundaries of street art beyond building walls to unusual “canvas” surfaces including electrical mains boxes and garden pavers.

The Dunsborough Progress Association received more than $8000 through a City of Busselton community bids program grant and donations from Dunsborough businesses to pay local artists to complete the murals.

Over three years, seven public murals were completed: Wings (everyone’s an angel) by Anita Revel near Occy’s Tavern; Skater by Andrew Frazer at One Palm; Camera by Andrew Frazer on the Western Power transformer; Spilt Ice Cream by Ian Mutch on the drain cover near the roundabout on Dunn Bay Road; Creative Patterns by Dune Haggar on the Western Power box at the entry to Naturaliste Forum Shopping Centre; Possums by Lauren Wilhelm at Dunsborough Lions Park; and another by Ian Mutch.

Ian Mutch's latest mural for the Dunsborough WonderArt range
Camera IconIan Mutch's latest mural for the Dunsborough WonderArt range Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee

Dunsborough Progress Association committee member Mandy Edwards said the artists decided what was painted where.

“We invited expressions of interest from artists with the idea for them to play with the urban elements,” she said.

“It brightens up otherwise uninteresting objects and brings the town to life.”

Ms Edwards said the DPA had received a lot of positive feedback including posts from social media pages of the murals from both visitors and locals.

“We would like to thank the City and the businesses who have supported the street art projects,” she said.

“We hope WanderArt will encourage Dunsborough pedestrians to stop, look, and wonder at ordinary urban elements that have been transformed into amazing art.”

Spilt Ice Cream by Ian Mutch for the WanderArt series
Camera IconSpilt Ice Cream by Ian Mutch for the WanderArt series Credit: Therese Sayers

City of Busselton cultural development officer Jacquie Happ said the project was an opportunity to promote local artists, who captured what was important to the community.

“We hope that other businesses might also follow suit, and consider other types of street art or public artworks that relate to them to continue growing this collection,” she said.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails