Local kids invited to paint mural promoting youth Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Geraldton

A new public artwork promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth wellbeing will be painted in Geraldton over the weekend, led by a professional artist and joined by local young people.

The mural will come to life at 2 Walton Close, Geraldton over the weekend, and local young people are invited to come down and join the creative process.

Full-time mural and studio artist Alex Sugar will be leading the project. Originally from Perth and currently living in Melbourne, Sugar’s previous works are primarily large-scale public art.

“Being able to work directly with the community, especially in a regional setting like Geraldton, is something I was eager to get involved in,” he said.

“It’s important that the artwork reflects the people and the place.”

The public art aims to promote the Stay Strong, Look After You and Your Mob campaign in the wake of the ban on under 16s using social media in December.

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the campaign promoted the wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders “through the art work’s public messaging, and through the creative process”.

Karratha, Northam, Perth and Albany also have artworks lined up to promote Aboriginal health and strength.

“This campaign takes young people offline to create and engage with something meaningful in a public space,” Ms Hammat said.

Sugar hoped that kids involved in the project would be able to get a glimpse of how large-scale art came together.

“Projects like this can show young people that their ideas matter and that there are real pathways into creative industries if that’s something they want to explore,” he said.

Sugar will be starting the project on Friday afternoon and painting throughout the long weekend.

“I strongly encourage young people who are interested in taking part to wander down to these sites and get involved,” Ms Hammat said.