Waroona town art to save lives

Waroona could get a vibrant face lift following a $20,000 grant to support mental health and spruce up the town centre.

The Waroona Shire Council is calling upon residents and artists to head to the drawing board and help brainstorm ideas for the Angels of Art project.

The initiative aims to enhance the culture of Waroona and capture the town’s identity.

Place and community development co-ordinator Kelly Shipway said the council was welcoming any “diverse art designs” or “creative and colourful mural ideas” to display on buildings within the shire.

“We have held art workshops to get ideas and would love people to reach out,” Mrs Shipway said.

The micro grant came from the WA Primary Health Alliance Against Depression and aimed to save lives by addressing inequality in the community.

The $20,000 grant was originally going to be put towards mental health workshops and community events within the town, however, because of COVID-19 restrictions they were unable to go ahead.

The council then decided to put the money towards art projects within the town and must use the grant by the end of June.

Mrs Shipway said art was therapeutic and had many mental health benefits.

“The project will not only help to improve the mental health of the artists, but also the mental health of community members who will get to see the art,” she said.

“Many artists lost work and opportunities during the pandemic and this gives them an opportunity to work again.”

Shire president Mike Walmsley said Waroona was rich in history, agriculture, tourism and nature.

“I can’t wait to see what all the artists have designed,” he said.