Resilient Ararat has partnered with nine local schools to launch its highly anticipated Resilience Art Trail.

The project, which was postponed over the last two years due to Covid-19, features a series of artworks created by students from Ararat College, Ararat West Primary School, Ararat 800 Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Maroona Primary School, Willaura Primary School, Moyston Primary School, Pomonal Primary School and Buangor Primary School.

The schools are currently implementing The Resilience Project curriculum and students have been working with local artist, Alyshia McInnes, to develop art panels that represent what their individual school communities are grateful for.

 Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network (CGLLEN) Executive Officer, Jane Moriarty, said the panels will be installed within the grounds of each school to create a collaborative art trail through Ararat Rural City, taking in Maroona, Willaura, Buangor, Moyston and Pomonal. 

“This project seeks to connect the wider Ararat community through a medium that has the ability to engage people all ages, genders and backgrounds – art,” she said.

 “Ultimately, The Resilience Art Trail will serve as a visual reminder for the whole community about the importance of gratitude and positive mental health. It will also create a lasting legacy of the Resilient Ararat project and its key messages.”

The unveiling of the Resilience Art Trail coincides with Resilient Ararat’s latest campaign – Painting the Town with Gratitude, which aims to promote positive mental health through the practice of gratitude.  From 30 September to 22 November, replicas of the Resilience Art Trail will be on display at Ararat Gallery TAMA, along with a community gratitude wall. Resilient Ararat will also release free branded greeting cards to inspire residents to share their gratitude for the important people in their life.

Ms Moriarty said community members were being invited to visit the exhibition to learn more about the project and view each school’s visual representation of the things they are grateful for.

“We will have a gratitude wall set up at Ararat Gallery TAMA for people to share what they are grateful for, and we are looking forward to seeing that fill up over the next couple of months,” she said.

“As part of the Painting the Town with Gratitude campaign we will also be distributing special greeting cards to schools and other locations within the community. The cards encourage people to let a friend, colleague, teacher or loved one know all the reasons they are appreciated. We will be sharing more information about the campaign on Resilient Ararat’s Facebook and Instagram pages over the coming weeks.”

Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong is thrilled to see a mental health-themed community exhibition displayed on the Community Wall at Ararat Gallery TAMA.

“Council is proud to be supporting The Resilience Art Trail initiative by showcasing replicas of these works at the Gallery in line with National Mental Health Month,” Cr Armstrong said.

“With the young talent available locally, it’s wonderful to see students practice gratitude and tell their stories through their artwork.

“I encourage everyone to contribute to the Community Gratitude Wall; it provides the perfect platform to show appreciation and kindness to the important people in our lives.

“It’s wonderful to see Ararat Gallery TAMA continue to support the community through programming that encourages creative expression and connection.”

The Resilience Art Trail is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Funding has also been provided through Engage! and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

For further information please contact:
Jessie Newton on 03 5352 3266 or email media@cgllen.org.au.

PHOTO: Ararat Gallery TAMA Visual Arts Coordinator, Katy Mitchell, Central Grampians LLEN Executive Officer, Jane Moriarty and artist Alyshia McInnes unveil the Resilience Art Trail Exhibition.