Artists Get to Work on the Great ARTdoors Project
Published on 18 November 2022
The Great ARTdoors Project, is progressing quickly with commissioned artists currently creating their sculptural works.
Seven major installations will be placed along the length of the 134km Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT).
Taungurung artist, Mick Harding, has been commissioned to create a series of smaller works that will also be installed across Mansfield, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires, and has visited the trail to identify suitable locations for the placement of his artwork.
Onsite works are expected to commence in March with installation of the sculptures likely to occur between March and April ahead of the project conclusion in April 2023.
Mansfield, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shire Councils are partners on the project. In consultation with the project’s Community Reference Group, the councils appointed the artists following an extensive expression of interest and tender process conducted earlier this year.
The GVRT will also benefit from a series of new wayfinding and interpretive signs installed along the trail. These signs will improve the visitor experience on the trail, sharing First Peoples stories and information and connecting people with sites along the trail. Installation is planned for March 2023.
The Great ArtDoors Project is made possible with funding of $1.2m from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.
Further information about the project, artists and the artwork locations is available on the project website. Videos documenting each artist’s journey will be available through the various stages of the project. The first releases are available to view on the website now at theloop.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/GVRT-art-project
Quotes Attributable to Murrindindi Shire Mayor Councillor John Walsh
“It’s exciting to see this project building momentum, with artists creating their sculpture works as we speak.
“It won’t be long until the major pieces, and the series of smaller works, are installed. I personally cannot wait for visitors and locals to enjoy these new experiences and would like to congratulate everyone involved in this important project on their efforts to date.”
Quotes Attributable to Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor Fiona Stevens
It is exciting to see the works taking shape and to get an insight into the connection each artist has to the area and what has inspired their pieces.
The rail trail is an important part of our tourism offering, particularly through Tallarook, Trawool and Seymour. The addition of these pieces will provide even more reasons for people to visit our region and support our local businesses, many of which have been badly impacted by the floods. I hope the pieces also encourage locals to reconnect with the river and start to experience the beauty in our natural environment again after the devastating floods.
It would be great to see more public art in the future and we hope these works might be a catalyst for that.
Quotes Attributable to Mansfield Shire Mayor Councillor James Tehan
“This is an exciting project 10 years on from the official opening that promises to improve the experience of visitors to the Rail Trail.
The installations will add artistic interest to the cycling trail, making the trail a key attraction for cycling enthusiasts and others.
We’re pleased to be working collaboratively with our neighbouring councils on a project of this quality. It’s an impressive offering for our community and provides a great attraction for visitors.”