New artworks for Katoomba Civic Centre
Explore Councils by state
Three local artists are helping to transform the Katoomba Civic Centre as part of an exciting vision to reactivate this precinct.
On August 17, Dharug woman and Blue Mountains artist Leanne Tobin installed the first work, entitled Yanema Waradah (Walk with Waratahs), an arresting array of art panels that relates to First Peoples creation and cultural stories.
“Beautiful waratahs proliferate in this place and symbolise our Blue Mountains community, tall and resilient, survivors of the ravages of bushfires, droughts and other forces of Nature,” Leanne said. “A significant Katoomba icon, The Three Sisters, reminds us of ancient stories; connecting us with our vibrant and timeless Aboriginal culture that continues to thrive here today."
From 18 August local artist Mandy Schoene-Salter will paint a series of stunning murals over five columns on the lower level of the Civic Centre. The murals, entitled Luminous Presence, celebrate the abundance of Australian wildflowers and will beautify this urban space.
Mandy said: “Unfortunately extinction rates are at their highest in Australia with the loss of approximately one per cent of threatened species each year. It is our responsibility to reinstall connection to the environment and art can play a key role in reminding us that we are part of the natural world.”
Later this year, another local artist, Kevina-Jo Smith, will drape her wonderful woven installation over one wall of the Civic Centre. The artwork features up-cycled mixed media and was previously exhibited at Scenic World Sculpture Exhibition and Sculpture by the Sea.
Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “I’m delighted that three local artists are helping us to refresh the space at Katoomba Civic Centre. These art installations reflect a range of styles and ideas that reflect our rich cultural experience here in the Blue Mountains and I’d like to thank the three artists for taking part in this significant display.”
The Katoomba Civic Centre upgrade that is now underway also includes landscaping and greening, redressing of the red canopies, upgraded street furniture, and the establishment of a cowork space at the site of the old library.
It is being funded by a $750,000 grant through the Building Better Regions Fund. Council is matching this funding to a total of $1.5 million. It also aims to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to Katoomba.
“This space has the potential to become a thriving hub in the heart of the town centre,” Mayor Greenhill said. “With these artworks, and other initiatives, this area will be transformed into an attractive, vibrant precinct.”
For more information go to: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/katoomba-civic-centre-artworks
You can also have your say on the proposed cowork space at: yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/katoomba-cowork-space-survey.
Photo: Leanne Tobin's artwork Yanema Waradah that was installed at Katoomba Civic Centre this week. It is one of three artworks that will be installed in the area.