REGIONAL Arts Victoria has released a video documentary on the Neerim Bower Small Town Transformations project.
First published in the 29 May 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
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The five-minute video features interviews with townspeople, those involved directly in the project and RDV’s director.
The project saw the construction and erection of the Neerim Bower art installation at the main road entrance to the town last year, as well as umpteen arts and community projects around the town.
In the interviews the organisers discuss the creative and social sides of the project, including the objections raised by some in the town.
“I think you have to be very careful of small towns and big things, and this is a big thing, it’s seven storeys high,” project coordinator Mark Long said in the documentary.
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One artist said: “one of the hardest things was just dealing with other people, getting the artist’s ideas across.”
“People wanted us to give the money back.”
Another added: “it was trying to fight that attitude that it should go on something else that was the big challenge.”
“The project could’ve gone either way, it could’ve divided the town,” Mr Long said.
“When we found there was opposition we went out and spoke to people and we engaged with people and we tried to tell them what we were doing.
“Over time we brought the town with us, I think, and we now have a lot of support.”
The positive responses from townspeople are covered in the documentary.
Watch the full video below:
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I love the Neerim Bower installation. it looks beautiful as you come into the town and is a fabulous talking point.