Arts projects spark up the Main Street

Several initiatives to help draw people to Margaret River’s Main Street as part of the Main Street Makeover are set to roll out over the coming months.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is supporting a live artworks project, new murals and a grant program designed to create vibrancy, encourage people to linger in town longer and support local traders during the works.

The Margaret River Memories project kicked off this week, with artist collective group SPARK Creatives, using historical stories and community memories of Margaret River to paint a storyline up and down the Main Street in an interactive piece of performance art. Poster ‘paste-ups’ will also go up around town featuring local written and photo memories.

Shire Sustainable Economies Officer Saul Cresswell said residents and visitors could also expect to see new murals by local artists adding colour and interest to some prominent walls on the Main Street. 

“In partnership with Creative Corner and Emergence Creative, the Shire has commissioned well-known artists Ian Mutch, Sandra Hill and Jack Bromell to create a sensational work of art,” he said.  

“As soon as the weather looks promising, the collaborative art piece featuring iconic Black Cockatoos, local flora, and Aboriginal designs will get underway,” he said.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to ease, the Shire’s previously announced Main Street Activation Grants are now open once again. 

The pool of six grants, each up to $1,000 aim to assist with ideas that will help create vibrancy on the Main Street, helping to draw people in and support Main Street traders. 

Ideas might include art works, mini-events, silent discos, light projections, rewards card programs, and more. 

Visit the www.mainstreetmakeover.com.au website for more information or to apply.

Add your memories and photos to the SPARK Creatives Facebook page or use #margaretrivermemories.