Vibrant, engaging and innovative urban art will be curated to help better connect communities across City of Logan.
Logan City Council is seeking community input on a draft Urban Art Strategy that aims to embrace artistic creativity in public and private spaces to make the city a more enjoyable and meaningful place to live, work and visit.
The strategy goes well beyond statues, sculptures and installations.
It provides a framework that encourages integrated design across city centres to improve amenity and attract more people while also activating places that are currently under-used.
It also supports interactive events and exhibits along with bespoke playscapes, enhanced community spaces and creative lighting and signage.
Urban art can be delivered by community collaborations, creative collectives, design studios as well as individual artists, designers and creatives.
Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said the vision for the Urban Art Strategy would be achieved through a range of objectives.
These include:
- Engagement with communities on what urban art is best suited to their neighbourhood
- Support for local artists and the development of diverse urban art commissions and programs
- Improving the way urban art is resourced, planned and administered
- Encouraging the use of urban art in place-shaping projects and programs
- Introducing best-practice approaches to maintaining and promoting urban art
"Urban art creates a sense of place and identity that can reflect the character of an area and make it memorable, which is why we are seeking input on this strategy," Councillor Raven said.
"We want our different communities across the city to join us as we explore trends and ideas that will result in a diverse range of art works that are wanted and appreciated.
"These urban art projects could be led individually, or in partnership, through entities including Council, the community, private owners or donors."
Priority locations for urban art projects include main streets and arterial roads, commercial precincts, parks, secondary streets including laneways, boutique retail and dining precincts, community facilities, transit stations and health and education precincts.
An art-inspired shade solution project is already underway in Beenleigh Town Square.
Designs from four City of Logan artists - Mary Barron, Madhu Khanna, Kyra Mancktelow and June Hintz - have been included on perforated coloured discs that are being strung across the town square to create an innovative and eye-catching shade solution.
Other designs by Mary and Kyra will be incorporated as street prints in Main and George streets, City Road and John Lane.
Other artwork in the city centre includes the striking mural on the exterior of the seven-storey The York mixed-use building, which is nearing completion in York Street and overlooks the town square.
The Tree of Life mural in the heart of Beenleigh's Town Square, by local artist Don Waters, will also be given a protective coating to ensure its longevity.
Division 12 Councillor Karen Murphy said the eye-catching art across the city centre would help power the rejuvenation of Beenleigh.
"I'm eager for the community to see the finished project. Plans are well underway for the first free community event where the residents will have the chance to view the vibrant and creative artwork," Cr Murphy said.
