Rapid progress made on Horticulture mural

May 3rd, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

Nine days of painting by about 25 volunteers so far has produced a remarkable start to the next large mural in Motueka, with many details already starting to take shape.

The Horticulture mural, the third of the series of nine, will likely be the most prominent of them all, as it is located on the large south wall of Super Liquor, beside the busy Z Energy service station.

Scores of people - visitors and shoppers - have stopped to look at and admire the work and praise the initiative as a great community asset. Around $25 in spot donations have been made on site.

The design, which showcases aspects of the town's core horticultural industry, was prepared by lead artist Soo Yir Lammers. She is also managing the volunteers who turn up to help paint a part of the image.

Several of the painters also helped with the first two murals, but about half of the people working during this weekend were helping for the first time.

Of particular note is the young age and countries of origin of painters. Several older children have painted parts of the aerial view of the Motueka orchard areas (photo, right), while seasonal workers from around six European and Asian countries have turned up a number of times, making a happy buzz of conversation at the wall.

Painting of the upper parts of the high wall was achieved thanks to the free use of a scissor lift from Motueka Hire. Super Liquor and Z Energy staff have also helped the work to proceed quickly.

All the paint is being donated by Dulux, through Guthrie Bowron in Motueka.

Because of school holidays, painting has taken place on most days over the past week and two weekends, but from now on most 'painting bees' will be on weekends only although some people may work on their own dedicated sections in their own time.

Soo Yir believes that if the weather is reasonably kind the work could be finished within four to six weeks, as attention narrows down to detailed painting on certain parts of the image.

Vision Motueka organisers have a database of about 50 potential volunteer painters who receive texts telling them when the next painting day is to take place. Anyone wanting to be added to that list should contact Kahu on .

"We've had a great and happy crowd, and we can find jobs for anyone turning up to try their hand or help," says Sooyir.

Several people including some orchardists and groups such as Keep Motueka Beautiful and TDC, have donated money to help pay for materials and art work, and further donations would be appreciated to keep the multi-mural project going.

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