Embedding a unique sense of community and place into the Collie Mural Trail

Project: Collie Mural Trail

Situation:
Over the next 10-15 years, industry, community, unions and government will be working together towards a transition for the town of Collie, seeing a shift away from a dependence on coal and coal-fired energy production, and towards alternative futures.

As part of this shift, the State Government of Western Australia was looking to draw tourists into Collie’s town centre by connecting the town both physically and conceptually to the Wellington Forest landscape.

We worked together with the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Shire of Collie on the delivery and communication of the Collie Mural Trail – a series of over 30 site-specific murals for the town and surrounds.

Results:
The Department of Premier and Cabinet required assistance in delivering a trail that was grounded in the unique place and community that is Collie. We worked closely with the Department to maintain a creative through-line on this project, with involvement on the Trail from start to finish, ensuring a strong connection to both people and place.

From the project’s outset, we collaborated with the community of Collie to undertake research and community engagement, to gather stories about the town, its landscape, its history and cultural context. This research and learning then informed artist briefs, developing into murals that belong to their sites, specifically and broadly.

These stories also informed the development of the Collie Mural Trail brand identity, website, signage and map – a series of communications materials designed to convey Collie’s strong foundations and dynamic future.

Scope:
Strategy – Identity – Environmental – Digital – Physical

Community engagement, Research, Art strategy, Artist briefing, Brand identity, Environmental graphic design, Website design

Client:
Department of Premier and Cabinet, State Government of Western Australia

Link:
Collie Mural Trail

Collaborators:
Shire of Collie, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Six Two Three Zero, Bibbulmun community representatives Joe Northover and James Kahn, Myles Mitchell, community of Collie.

Artists:
Amok Island, Arif & Audrey, Jack Bromell, Donald Cook, Jade Dolman, Jackson Harvey, Guido van Helten, Kambarni, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Marina Lommerse with the Mural Studio, Jarrad Martyn, Mikaela Miller, Ian Mutch, Jacob ‘Shakey’ Butler, Sioux Tempestt, Tjyllyungoo and Natalie Veal.

Photography:
Taj Kempe