Australia's DIY Art Trail

Australia is home to some truly unique grand scale paintings with more than 50 grain silos adorned with jaw dropping art. The best part is that access to these galleries is freely available all year round, day and night, as you road trip around the country’s highways and back roads.

The increase in silo art is becoming a huge incentive for travellers to incorporate rural destinations into itineraries, and art trail maps make planning road trips easy. Every state and territory in Australia now has silo art or water tower art, so it’s possible to include them in your travels while helping to boost the economies of these small communities.

The painted silos encourage visitors to learn more about the region, especially when there’s signage explaining its history and people. An example of this is one of the newer painted silos in the South Australian town of Bute on the northern Yorke Peninsula. The town with a population of less than 250 people, now features a beautiful pastel painted silo created by Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner (Krimsone), which is proving to be a popular stop for people eager to show the brilliant work on social media. The mural has elements of the local agriculture, flora and birdlife, while representing women in the country and prominent features of the landscape. The project came about with a federal government grant matched by the local council who worked in partnership with the town’s progress committee to see it come to fruition and represent the town.

In many cases silo art has also added  to revitalising the general look of a town with seating, viewing areas and landscaping enhancing the local area and inviting visitors to stay longer. It’s also increased the interaction between the townspeople and visitors with the silo art being a big topic of conversation.

A good example of that can be found on the silo art trail in the Wimmera Mallee region of western Victoria, where caravan travellers can stay in low-cost parks in Rupanyup, Minyip, and Lake Lascelles, or even behind the hotel in Patchewollock. Ideas like these are encouraging travellers to slow down and take a closer look at the towns in regional areas, some of which were really struggling before the silo art increased visitation.

All credit though goes to the artists responsible for these amazing works of art, which have to be seen to be truly appreciated. The scale and details leave you in awe of their talent and will have you wanting to discover more.

MORE INFORMATION:

For guides and maps on where to see silo art, visit Australiansiloarttrail.com and for year-round viewing at home, you can buy the Australian Silo Art calendar from www.siloartstore.com.

The calendars are designed and printed in Australia, and your purchase will help regional communities, with 50% of the profits donated back to the 12 communities featured.

Courtesy Australian Silo Art Trail

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