Artist call for new silo art

West Wimmera Shire Council has put out a call for mural and street artists to produce new silo artworks at Kaniva and Goroke.

The council received funding through the State Government’s Pick My Project program to develop new silo art features across the shire as part of the Silo Art Trail.

Chief executive David Leahy said tourism contributed nearly $8.5-million in the total $443.5-million economic output of West Wimmera Shire.

He said extending silo art into the shire, including Kaniva and Goroke Graincorp silos, was seen as a significant opportunity to grow this contribution.

“West Wimmera Shire Council aligns at a regional level with Wimmera Mallee Tourism board and these new silos will be recognised as an extension of the official Silo Art Trail,” he said.

Mr Leahy said there were four silos at the Kaniva site and the potential artist should consider which silos should be painted to achieve the project’s best outcome.

He said there were three silos at Goroke for consideration, with a third potential site at Serviceton in development for release to the market.

He said the council aimed to have all three sites completed in Autumn 2020.

“The selected artist will be expected to enter into an agreement with West

Wimmera Shire Council and Graincorp, and will work closely with the two organisations to refine the final concept, the scale of the work and installation timelines,” he said.

Mr Leahy said there was no set theme for the silo art, but artists should consider how to incorporate lighting or projection in the future, to add value to the artwork.

He said the new artworks would also be integrated with Wimmera Mallee Tourism’s augmented reality app, which operates at other silo art locations.

Artists will have until December 9 to make a submission to the council for the development of their artwork.

A representative from each community will help select the artists.

People can find more information on West Wimmera Shire Council’s website, www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au.

“The selected artist will be expected to enter into an agreement with West Wimmera Shire Council and Graincorp, and will work closely with the two organisations to refine the final concept, the scale of the work and installation timelines” – David Leahy