Street artists to transform big green ‘eyesore’
GREEN WALL
THE eyesore at 71-85 Port Douglas Road, otherwise known as ‘The Big Green Fence’, is about to get a makeover.
Tired of seeing the unsightly space regularly vandalised with graffiti, a group of local artists have been working tirelessly to gain permission to beautify the space, and others in the region.
Enter Douglas Street ART. The newly formed group has the backing of the Queensland Police Service and plans to give creative opportunities for artists in the Douglas Shire on approved blank walls, sides of buildings, bus shelters, toilet blocks and any unsightly fences that are subject to unwanted vandalism.
Senior Sergeant Damian Meadows, from Port Douglas Police, said Douglas Street ART was a wonderful concept.
“Occasionally graffiti tags and street art appears in inappropriate places,” Meadows said, who is also Treasurer of the group.
“We wish to provide opportunity for people interested in street art to get creative in a supportive environment which will make their art look more attractive and allow their skills to develop.”
Project Manager of Douglas Street ART, Kevin ‘Kstar’ Eldridge, said the idea was born after three years of pondering ways to permit public art. Their first project is the green fence that runs between the QT Resort and Mirage Country Club.
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“We are grateful the owners of the big green fence have allowed our group to utilise that space as Stage One of our public art,” he said.
“Douglas Street ART is a private group, with public liability insurance and the backing of the Police, so we are inviting all artists in the community to come and help us paint the fence in an open, safe and controlled environment”.
The group will meet for four consecutive Saturdays from mid November to transform the wall into something the town can be proud of.
A template has been designed by fellow art group, Artists Collective, which includes the words ‘Welcome to Port Douglas’ and a Rainbow Serpent running along the the fence, blending reef and rainforest imagery throughout the mural.
Eldridge said they have been in constant discussions with the Kuku Yalanji people, the traditional owners of the areas, to ensure the artwork is culturally sensitive.
“Once we are finished with the fence, we will move on to other areas of Douglas Shire and bring more colour and vibrancy to any blank spaces which are appropriate for Street Art,” he said.
“Anyone who wants to join us on our beautiful journey is more than welcome to get involved.”
Douglass Street ART are calling on artists, young and old, to take part in the exciting project and are holding a public meeting on Monday 31 October at 5.30pm at fence site (71-85 Port Douglas Road).
They are also seeking sponsorship for paint and other materials.
“We are in talks with the Neighbourhood Centre to access some of the funds raised for the now defunct Community Garden project, but we also ask all painters, builders and tradesman to think of letting us utilise any remains of old disused paints,” Eldridge said.
“Just drop of any cans or tubs at KStar Tours office on Macrossan Street.”
