The ambitious mission of decorating and transforming the local Cheltenham neighbourhood with colourful art, culture, connection and meaning was the brain child of local counsellor, Elizabeth Williamson, and retired nurse, Michelle Hargreaves. They approached local artist and community arts worker, Chloe Bower, to collaborate with them.
The current segment of this project collaboratively envisioned to financially and professionally employ a range of artists to paint 28 sides of 14 stobie poles along High Street and Port Road, next to the Cheltenham Cemetery.
“We all had an interest in local history and identity and the connection of place of the cemetery amongst the local community,” says Chloe.
Local historian, Susie Coombes, connected us with the stories of historical figures such as people who made political and humanitarian positive changes, local footballers, a figure who created The School of The Air to provide education for children of families living remotely, people who served in wars, fire and other service people, local figures incarcerated for their shenanigans, tributes to aboriginal elders buried at the cemetery and local historical business people and land holders.
During the project, strong sentiments for meanings began to evolve and become depicted in paint, such as the many flowers that are brought to the graves of loved ones. Artists saw and chatted to mourners, and those passing by the cemetery who stopped to discuss their own stories relating to the themes being painted.
Many artists were approached by the public while painting their poles, and offered further art related jobs in the community.
This truly has been a fulfilling project of connections: connections with the past, present, and future.
