New mural in Mt Barker hides ‘unsightly’ graffiti and ‘brightens’ town

Work on a horticultural oasis in Mt Barker has started with a mural already brightening up part of the town.

South West artist Natalie Veal has just completed the colourful and detailed mural which is bringing in a touch of the Mediterranean.

The mural covers a wall at the town’s old primary school on the corner of Albany Highway and Oatlands Road.

New site owner Phil Tunstall said for years Mt Barker locals and passers-by had been met by “unsightly graffiti and senseless vandalism” on some of the old school buildings.

Mr Tunstall said things were about to change with big plans to transform the site into a horticultural oasis.

Veal, a renowned South West muralist who has just finished a major piece on the Collie Mural Trail, started work on the Mt Barker mural last week.

“This mural will be enhanced further by professionally designed themed plantings in the foreground,” Mr Tunstall said.

“If a rose garden is painted in the background, real roses — either in-ground plantings or even vases of rose flowers — could be in the foreground to enhance the effect.”

Mr Tunstall said the mural would be the first of many garden-themed projects to bring the space to life.

“The plan is to develop a horticultural oasis,” he said.

“With full Albany Highway exposure, it will eventually be meticulously landscaped, and become a traffic-stopping garden and help Mt Barker to become more of a destination.”

Another three murals facing the highway are also expected to be completed in future stages with different garden themes.

Mr Tunstall is inviting other artists to express interest in helping reinvigorate the site with a chance to display their work.