When finished, it will cover the four external walls of the toilet block at the Newey, a
popular recreation area for both locals and tourists
Pelicans, turtles, plovers and black swans
which can be regularly seen at the Newey
recreation area, are the inspiration for local
artist Seigrid Peters’ next major artwork.
Seigrid has recently been commissioned by
Cobar Shire Council to paint a mural on the
toilet block at the Newey recreation area in her
unique and colourful style.
Council’s tourism manager Demi Smith said
Council was open to the idea of a having
something uniquely ‘Cobar’ on show at the
Newey.
“We wanted something bright and fun, a
tourist attraction even, and we thought it
would be good to showcase a local artist who
is doing great things,” Demi said.
Seigrid met with Council’s general manager
Peter Vlatko to outline her idea for what
would be her first attempt at a mural.
She showed him samples of her artwork and
put forward a concept design of what she
could do at the Newey.
Peter was impressed with how bright and
colourful Seigrid’s art was and he also liked
the idea of how her animals were drawn in an
abstract style rather than the life-like designs
which are popping up on silos all around the
state.
Recently Council’s Parks and Gardens staff
painted the whole toilet block white (at
Seigrid’s request because the existing dark
green base wouldn’t show up the bright colours)
and Seigrid started painting last week.
She said apart from the brief of it being a
reflection of the surrounds and something that
would bring “a bit of brightness to the Newey”
Seigrid was given a free reign in the creation
of the Newey mural design.
While she is working to a particular colour
scheme and has planned the animals that she
wants to use in the design, she said the mural
itself is evolving as her painting progresses.
The whole block is to be painted (outside)
and will feature many of the different types of
wildlife found around the Newey.
She finished the first wall last week.
“I’m loving it, it’s great,” Seigrid said.
She had however hoped to be further along
with the project but said she was hindered last
week by wet weather.
“I’m enjoying all the chats I’ve had, with
lots of tourists pulling up and locals.
“It’s been lots of fun talking to everyone but
it’s not very productive!”
Demi said Seigrid is excited about being
able to share her passion on a large scale with
the whole community.
“It must be a thrill for her to know that her
mural will be a talking point for years to come
and a photo opportunity for tourists and locals
alike,” Demi said.
“The feedback from this project has been
amazing so far.
“Once word got out about Seigrid’s mural,
the volume of traffic at the Newey has increased
heaps,” Demi said.
