Project update
Were Street is a much-loved village that includes a vibrant mix of businesses, a train station and Montmorency Primary School.
We have completed upgrades to the streetscape, public toilets and open spaces, including the reserve and public artworks.
The mural and the new public art installation is now complete.
Public art in Were Street
Background
Project overview - Were Street Reserve public artwork
As part of the Were St upgrade, we commissioned new public artworks for Were St Reserve.
The mural and installation will contribute to the amenity of the Reserve and provide additional passive recreation for users of Were St.
We asked the community to identify themes to help guide the inclusion of public art in the Were Street Reserve. Community feedback helped Council to draft the brief we provided to artists during the expression of interest stage.
Following the artists EOI survey in February 2023, of which we received 22 expressions of interest, a panel of experts assessed the expression of interest responses and shortlisted 5 artists to proceed to the concept development stage.
The selection panel consisted of representatives from:
- Banyule Arts and Culture Team
- Banyule Strategic Projects Team
- Public art sector professionals
- Community Representatives (as required)
Criteria for development stage included:
- Artistic merit
- Experience/capacity to deliver
- Meets the scope of the brief
- Durability/ongoing maintenance
The successful artists were selected in April 2023.
Successful artists selected
In February 2023 we received 22 Expressions of Interest from artists to create a contemporary mural and a permanent public art installation in Were St Reserve. Five artists were shortlisted to develop their concepts further, before the selection of the successful artists took place.
The successful artists are:
Prolific public community artist Ulla Taylor creates fine murals and street and pavement artwork. Her work is designed to enlighten, entertain, educate and bring joy.
Her mural for Were Street, Plenty River at Monty, uses a natural colour palette, infused with the bright colours of wild nature, golden sunsets, beautiful flowers, jewel-like insects, and birds. The source of inspiration was the local wildlife and the ways in which natural and human history overlay.
Montmorency local, Deb Lemcke, recently completed her Master of Art (Art in Public Space) and is now exploring how art can be used as the basis for more genuine and connected community engagement.
Deb's artwork in the Were Street Reserve, Whispers on the Wind, will be a series of detailed metal leaves reflecting the shapes of the local native tree species. They will be integrated into the garden beds and the new infrastructure. The midrib of each leaf (the line that runs down the centre) will be a visual soundwave of a recording that reflects the community's hopes and aspirations for itself and the people who visit the area. Integral to this piece will be community engagement to collect community aspirations.
Complete the survey to tell us what Were Street means to you and how it makes you feel.
What you told us
Engagement
Thank you for your feedback during the survey.
In November and December 2022 you told us the themes that resonated with you, and the value of art in public spaces for the community.
We received 160 responses through an online survey on Shaping Banyule, with 75% of participants selecting that the inclusion of public art in open spaces is important/very important. Over 93% of participants identified as local residents.
The survey posed a series of questions and prompts to find out how the community feels about public art and how it can benefit Were Street Reserve.
You told us:
Click here to view the full survey findings report, and click 'follow' at the top of the page to stay up-to-date with this project.
