The City has helped make a new mural at Rosalie Primary School possible to create a more vibrant, welcoming and inspiring school entrance.
The mural – which was partially funded by a City Community Development Grant – has taken over a previously bore-stained demountable near the Derby Street entrance.
About 200 students, from pre-primary to year six, contributed to the painting of the mural overseen by artist Mel McVee who created the artwork.
Mel said the school was keen for the artwork to reflect its location near Kings Park and incorporate some of its unique and beautiful flora, which is how she landed on featuring the beloved Carnaby Cockatoo amongst Banksia flowers.
Other featured flower species include pea flowers, wattle, Blue Squill and Hemigenia Gibson Pale Mauve – a rare and endangered WA plant currently being cultivated in Kings Park. The background blues tie in with the school uniform colour.
Mel said she used a large paint-by-numbers style framework and all the students loved picking up the paintbrush and contributing to the artwork.
“Most of my work has an element of community collaboration; it’s a wonderful way for participants to be a part of the process, take ownership of the mural, and learn new skills and spark new ideas,” she said.
“This mural is located at the entry of the school so is such a wonderful welcome to all the students, parents and teachers every day when they arrive.”
Mayor David McMullen described the finished mural as a community asset.
He said, “Art helps build community and sense of place. This mural is an attractive new visual feature for the school and wider Shenton Park community. There will be a sense of community ownership, due to inputs from the many students who contributed to the mural; they should be very proud of what they and Mel have created.”
The mural will be complemented by some native and drought-tolerant plants to help contribute to improving the urban forest within the school and decreasing the heating effects of the adjacent paving.
The City grant was awarded to Rosalie Primary School P&C who help plan events and initiatives to enhance the students’ experience and enable them to learn more about the world they live in.
The City has previously supported the school through a Community Development Grant for the Rosalie Village Fete.
Find out more about Community Development Grants.
Pictured above (left to right):
Back row – Mayor David McMullen, Artist Mel McVee, Rosalie Primary School Principal Michelle Nash
Front row – Abigail (year 6), Jude (year 1), Ruby (year 1), August (year 1), Sabine (year 6)