Water tank art- a symbol of community spirit and creativity
Wool Bay’s incredibly thought-provoking Water Tank Mural has been awarded Australia’s Best Rural Art Experience.
The tank and shed murals, a project of Yorke Peninsula Council, were announced as the Best Rural Art for 2023 at the Australian Street Art Awards on Friday, 8 March.
The colourful murals, located on Green Flat Road, were designed, and painted by Sam Brooks and Harley Hall, with the assistance of Mark Harding, Rachelle Plazeriano and Gary Nowlan.
The stunning artwork traces the history of Wool Bay, from Narungga First Nations to European settlement and the town Port through to modern day, including local flora and fauna as well as the town’s iconic lime kiln.
“This incredible mural is a testament to the creativity and talent of our local artists, and it has truly transformed our community,” Mayor Darren Braund said.
“The Wool Bay Water Tank Mural has captured the hearts and imaginations of our community, and I am thrilled to see it recognised on a national stage.
“This mural is not just a piece of art, it is a symbol of our community spirit and creativity. We look forward to this award bringing more people to Yorke Peninsula to experience the Wool Bay mural and the entire Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural Trail.”
The Australian Street Art Awards, a tourism awards program for public art, encourages Australians to explore the world-class street and public art that is freely accessible all year round and found in every corner of the country.
“Artworks are unique and therefore clever communities promote their outdoor art, including welcome art, as a unique attraction that visitors can see in only one place,” Awards Director Liz Rivers said.
“That makes investing in outdoor art as a visitor attraction mechanism good economic sense, especially when you consider that these art assets are typically far less expensive to create and maintain than more traditional tourism attractions.”
The Wool Bay artwork is part of the Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural extension project, which also includes the recently completed giant mural at Minlacowie.
The project was made possible with funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and support from SA Water.
“We are thrilled the mural on our Wool Bay Water Tank and nearby storage shed has taken out top prize in the Best Rural Art category,” SA Water General Manager of Customer, Community and Engagement David Coombe said.
“This masterpiece not only celebrates the history of the Yorke Peninsula, but also adds a splash of colour to our local infrastructure, which plays a pivotal role in supplying water to the local area. A special thank you to everyone who worked with us to make this extraordinary project a reality.
“The Wool Bay artwork is one of seven murals on our tanks across the Yorke Peninsula, and it’s always exciting to witness the transformation of these active structures into vibrant canvases.”
