Art is alive at Traralgon SkateparkSkate-ramps painted by young artists working with Latrobe City Youth Services. By Latrobe City Council - 5th February 2001 - Back to News The skate-ramps at Traralgon’s skatepark in Harold Preston Park have been brought to life when they were painted on Wednesday by a group of young artists working with Latrobe City Youth Services.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Tony Hanning said that painting the skatepark equipment offered young people an exciting way of displaying their artistic skills for others to enjoy, while also enhancing the environment where they themselves enjoyed their recreation.
“The whole concept of painting the skate ramps came from the young people themselves and was first tried out in the Moe Skatepark. It was deemed such a great success, that the Churchill skatepark equipment was similarly painted, and now so has Traralgon’s,” Cr Hanning explained.
“Painting the skate ramps tends to reduce graffitti and generates a sense of pride in the skatepark by the young people who use the facilities. The painting looks attractive and helps the skatepark relate as a more welcoming place for young people,” Cr Hanning added.
Each piece of equipment is individually decorated according to the whim of the artist and in many cases several artists work together painting the larger skate-ramps, each contributing their own talents.
Sasha Radic who has worked on all three projects and is studying visual arts and photography at Monash University, described his work as ‘urban expressionism’. Sasha creates a scene of three-dimensional figures and words, using a variety of spray-paint techniques and colours.
“It’s tribal 3D, showing that art is alive; and using the contemporary medium of spray-paint it reflects what’s happening today,” he said.
For Ryan Beckett, aerosol art is part of young people’s culture, just as skateboards and roller blades are.
“This is a new style, a challenge. I like to have a go. Perhaps other young people will look at what I’ve done and say to themselves ‘I can do as well or better than that’ and they will realise that they also have the potential to be creative,” he said.
Councillor Hanning said that Latrobe’s three skateparks had all been designed with the assistance of local young skaters.
“Consultation with the young people of Latrobe has been a vital element in the entire process of skatepark development, with young people providing ideas in the planning and implementation stages, and hands-on assistance at each of the facilities,” Cr Hanning said.
“Latrobe’s skateparks are very popular venues with young people of all ages, offering challenges for everyone, ranging in skill level from the beginner to the very experienced.
“Latrobe has already built three skate parks, one at Moe, Traralgon, and Churchill, and is due to commence the construction of the Morwell skatepark soon; again co-funded by Council and the Department of Sport and Recreation Victoria,” Cr Hanning concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Cr. Tony Hanning, Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0417 373 577
Cr. Brendan Jenkins, Deputy Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0417 374 590
Ms. Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer,
tel. 5173 1401 or 0417 557 103
Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer,
tel. 5173 1468
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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