Mural brightens building

A concrete block shed on Alfred Street in Blenheim has come to life thanks to a Council initiative involving enthusiastic college students and Youth Council members.

The Council-owned shed was hidden behind the former Millennium Art Gallery which was demolished last year.

After the gallery’s demolition – it relocated to Te Kahu o Waipuna – the area was cleared and a grass area planted with walkways and new trees.

It meant the grey wall became highly visible, making it a logical place for a new mural to add to Blenheim’s growing street art portfolio.

Well-known street artist Sean Duffell worked with the students from Marlborough Girls’ College including a new Youth Council member on the project.

Students were canvassed for ideas on the “what does Marlborough mean to you” theme which Sean took and worked into a suitable composition, choosing a minimal but striking colour combination .

With brushes in hand the team, guided by Council’s Events and Community Partnerships Officer Natalie Lawler, completed the mural changing the landscape of the newly grassed area.

“We started work with undercoat and did the outline on Friday night, then spent all day Saturday working on the mural, and then a few hours to finish on the Sunday,” Natalie said.

Youth Council funded the project.