Future of mural society in doubt Shortages put Bowen’s iconic artwork in danger
THE LEGACY, knowledge and history behind Bowen’s iconic murals are at risk of falling by the wayside if a new generation of volunteers doesn’t step up.
Bowen Mural Society maintains the murals and liaises with council and artists for future works.
Started in 1988 by Lil Hardy, the Bowen and Collinsville murals were an initiative to become the Mural Capital of Australia, after being inspired by a visit to the British Columbian town of Chemainus.
Now the initiative spans over 30 murals between the two towns, depicting a wealth of history including the closure of industries, traditional Aboriginal landowners, harvests, shipwrecks, mariners, the arrival of seaplanes, coal mining, salt panning, pioneers and newspaper printing.
Many of Bowen’s iconic murals have started to fade from harsh weather conditions.
Bowen Mural Society secretary Heather Skinner said they were looking at new exciting projects in the future, but only once they had the restoration works completed, and secured some new volunteers.
“We need new members. If we don’t get anyone we will have to fold. We only have six members and we’re aged between 78 and 92,” she said.
“We’ve got three we need to top up, or repair. It won’t be cheap. I’m not worried about that but we need to pass on what we know. We need to pass on the legacy.”
Ms Skinner said the society was in “limbo”, waiting for COVID-19 restrictions to ease before it could meet and organise grants and artists to complete restoration works.
“Once we can meet up again with no restrictions or anything, then we can start pushing for a grant,” she said.
“I have three artists I can chase up to do the work, and they’ll be able to travel now, so I just need to apply for the grants.
“Chasing up grants – it’s not hard but it’s a lot of work.
“We just want to get other people involved.”
Bowen Mural Society is looking towards the future, hoping to be able to complete two new works and pass on its knowledge and the legacy of the community organisation to ensure it continues its important work for generations to come.
“Once we get the three topped up we can start looking at some new ones,” Ms Skinner said.
“We have been promised two walls at Woolworths.
“I’ll keep going – we will all keep going as long as we can.
“After all the hard work the people did to start it, we don’t want to lose it.”