The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate has teamed with Westfield Woden and the Play Activation Network at the University of Canberra to encourage older Canberrans to learn to make street art.
While learning, the mature students will use their new-found skills to rejuvenate a site at the Woden bus interchange.
Minister for City Services, Chris Steele said the initiative was part of the Streetwise program where more than 30 senior Canberrans attended a series of workshops run by local street artists, Ben Reeve and Dai Cameron.
“They will now take their talents to the streets of Canberra,” Mr Steele said.
He said Streetwise aimed to teach older people street art skills and give them the opportunity to collaboratively create artwork and become part of a place-making activity.
“The two selected artists worked with the older adults during a series of street art workshops at Westfield Woden,” Mr Steele said.
“Following these workshops the budding artists will now produce a series of murals at the Woden bus interchange.
“The Streetwise project will provide a number of benefits for this prominent location including discouraging graffiti tagging; enhancing the aesthetics and amenity of the area; and helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for older people and others in the community.”
He said the program would benefit the community as a whole.
“The participants get to learn a new skill from two great artists, a well-used public place will receive a rejuvenating addition of colour and the community will get to enjoy a new piece of public art,” the Minister said.
