ABORIGINAL artist Rebecca Beetson from Richmond has just completed a 77-metre painted mural on the March Street frontage of Richmond Marketplace, to be unveiled with the centre’s latest bout of renovations.
It took the 39-year-old mum of four 11 days to complete the mural, which was commissioned as part of ‘stage 2’ of the centre’s works which includes external painting, internal tiling and external tower removal.
“Richmond Marketplace is going to have a new outdoor space, with a new children’s play area, so I wanted the artwork to reflect those new additions and include the outdoor spaces that are important to Richmond, like the Hawkesbury River,” said Ms Beetson.
“To me, Richmond Marketplace represents fresh food and family gatherings, so I was inspired to include those things as well.”
Since putting brush to board, Ms Beetson has reportedly been overwhelmed with positive feedback and community interest, receiving numerous calls from community centres and schools about possible new artworks and projects.
She will be painting designs on more hoardings on the centre in the coming weeks.
ISPT, which owns Richmond Marketplace, is spending $11 million on the centre’s facelift, which will cover all common areas and entry points.
Stage one, completed in late 2006, included new toilets and the refurbishment of the on-site Woolworths.
Sarah Falson
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
