National award for Motueka's Industry mural

April 16th, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

The much-admired 'History of Industry' mural in Decks Reserve took out a silver medal at the NZ Sign and Display Association's annual awards in Auckland last Saturday.

The 15m-long mural, on the back of the Image Creators building, was painted by community volunteers and local hobbyists and artists, and organised by the Vision Motueka community development group.

The award, which was in the 'Illustrations and Murals' category, is especially meaningful because it was judged by signwriting industry professionals who were unaware of who created the entries - professionals, amateurs or community groups.

Image Creators co-owner Andy Lowe, who designed the mural, was in Auckland for the awards ceremony because several others of the more than 600 entries were his own creations (including the Motueka Lolly Shop and Riwaka's Ginger Dynamite, which both received medals), and he accepted the mural award on behalf of Vision Motueka and the Motueka community.

Andy is quick to insist that it was the 30-plus people who contributed to the Industry mural who deserve the praise. His part of the work was with the initial design (using museum photos and research with the Historical Association), the technical aspects of creating the master images, and painting and signwriting of some parts of the mural.

He says it was the determined work of many volunteers who either had some artistic skills or were willing to have a go that made it such an inspiring work.

He also acknowledges the huge amount of work done by his Ruby Bay signwriting colleague, Alex Burnett, who organised the painting teams over the bulk of the project.

Dulux and Guthrie Bowron were also recognised at the awards ceremony for supplying the materials. All paints for both this mural and all the remaining murals in the series of nine were donated by them freely. Much of the financial support for this mural came from Tasman District Council and the Motueka Community Board.

Preparations are now under way for the painting of the third mural in the series, telling the stories of Motueka. It will show aspects of horticulture, and be painted on the southern wall of the Super Liquor shop, beside the Z Energy petrol station.

The designer and lead artist will be Soo Yir Lammers, and painting will begin after Easter when, hopefully, the wet weather will be over. Vision Motueka hopes another good number of volunteers will help out at various times to make it another good community effort.

Those wanting to help with the Horticulture mural can contact Linda at or Kahu at , or leave a message at the group's Facebook page, "Vision Murals Motueka".

Comment by Shirley Frater:
[Posted 17 March 2014]

Congratulations on a national achievement. The mural is a winner locally but national status is great.

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