The Bute ‘beaut’ Silo Art, developed collaboratively by Barunga West Council and the Bute community, has been shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Street Art Awards’ Best Mega Mural gong and the Best Rural Art title.
The Australian Street Art Awards, established in 2018, recognise destinations like Bute that are using public art to attract visitors, boost the economy and engage the community.
Artists Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner completed the Bute silo art project in April 2022. The artwork concept was based on representing women in regional areas through telling the story of a girl pushing a vintage bike alongside train tracks. The theme requested by the community was bright colours, and local agriculture, flora and fauna. This has been represented through the use of a rooster as well as sheep, which are prominent agricultural aspects of Bute. The rooster is also the mascot for the Bute football, netball, basketball, cricket and tennis clubs. The featured birds are Rainbow Bee-eaters, which are seasonal breeding migrants to South Australia, and a Superb Fairy Wren. The background entails the Hummocks which are a range of hills in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges extending north from the eastern edge of Yorke Peninsula.
"The Bute silo art project is completely unique to our region and has helped to attract visitors to the stunning Top of the Yorke since its completion last year," Barunga West Council Mayor Leonie Kerley said.
"The silo art project has been 10 years in the making with the Bute 2000 Onwards Progress Association working tirelessly to make it happen. Council and the Progress Association successfully applied for a grant through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Tackling Tough Times Together program in 2021 to help fund the project.
"We all are excited that it has continued to receive recognition and trust the latest accolades will entice even more visitors to our region to explore all the Top of the Yorke has to offer."
Awards Director Liz Rivers said Bute was now a “must-see destination for art lovers … being shortlisted in these awards further cements the Top of the Yorke’s reputation as an aspirational destination for everyone who loves to discover visually stunning experiences”.
With rigorous judging of submissions by tourism leaders complete, plus second-tier auditing and due diligence in progress, the Bute Silo Art’s finalist success has the credence of the national tourism sector.
The judges commented that this year’s entries were of a very high calibre, with all nominees demonstrating determination and commitment to improving their community through the adoption of a swathe of creative projects.
Judges’ feedback to nominees will include ways to finesse their offering and attract more visitors through their public art.
Gold, Silver and/or Bronze winners in all 11 Australian Street Art Awards categories will be announced during an online celebration of creativity on Friday, 10 February 2023.
For more information on the Awards go to: http://www.streetartawards.com.au/