Local artist Pat Rose worked in the blazing sun and humid conditions all Friday morning to paint the Village Green wall for Christmas on Fitzgerald.
“It was very hot,” she said. “I started at 6am and finished at 2.30pm – stopping for lunch.”
Ms Rose, the director of Artists Revolution in Northam, said the Northam Shire commissioned the piece.
“The Shire wanted something Christmas themed. So I did Santa in the canoe, reflecting the Avon Descent,” she said.
“I did Santa very happy with the cat and the fiddle.
”I also included lots of colourful water and colour in general.”
We will have some more community murals coming up in the new year
- Pat Rose
Ms Rose has painted other murals around northam including a few at West Northam Primary School, PCYC and the Wheatbelt Aboriginal Health Service.
“We will have some more community murals coming up in the new year,” Ms Rose said.
“We have five coming up in different public spaces.”
Ms Rose said Artists Revolution is still making products in a workshop that may be sold in the Ngarrginy Cultural Centre.
The centre is currently being constructed on Minson Avenue next to the Northam Visitors Centre.
It is being developed as a regional tourist attraction which will offer an interactive educational experience to recognise the rich Aboriginal and environmental presence in the Northam and wider Ballardong area.
Ms Rose said anyone is welcome to join the workshops.
“We run a work for Centrelink program,” she said. “Anyone is also welcome to come along and see what we are doing.”
The busy artspace will also be holding a Christmas event next Friday, December 22, where handmade items will be sold from 5pm. For more information or to volunteer to work at Artists Revolution, contact director Pat Rose on 0439 096 638 or visit the space on 226 Fitzgerald Street.
Artist Revolution is supported by the Wheatbelt Development Commission and the Shire of Northam to work on Aboriginal arts development.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
