Partnership Highlights – Rural Fire Service, Springwood High School and Nepean Performing Arts High School and two local street artists.

This project became one that had many dynamics including 2 street artists, Domy Dingo and Aerosol obsessions, Springwood High School Indigenous students, Nepean Performing Arts students, National Parks and MYST. The project was made possible with the generous support of funding from Foundation for Rural and Regional renewal through their “Strengthening Rural Communities” grant program.

Through this partnership, the water tank mural project was possible. Over 2 months MYST and artists facilitated workshops at both High Schools incorporating a design for each tank. The theme for the designs was protection against wildfire, connection to community and country, and the environment around us. The project also involved teaching the students how use spray paint to create art.

The students at first were nervous to use the medium of spray paint to create art, but once they started, they were comfortable using their artistic expression creating a design with guidance from the artists.

Once the workshops were complete, it was time to take a trip to the RFS water tanks at Mount Banks and transfer their design. The RFS very kindly transported the student to Mount Banks and provided delicious food for our aspiring artists.

For two days at the Mount Banks water tanks students from each school were able to connect and learn in a shared environment. Without any hesitation the students jumped into action to bring the mural together. The first tank design focused on the environment with native gum leaves and trees, a koala, a kookaburra and the site name. The second tank was focused on culture, which bought together a story, a connection to the place and a sense of belonging, on Darug land, The Blue Mountains, including the three sisters, animal tracks and symbols. The design included students handprints symbolizing the connection to country, with black handprints representing the Aboriginal People, yellow handprints representing the sun; the giver of life and protector. Red handprints represented the red earth, the red ochre. Women created the Red and yellow, whilst Men created the Black and yellow handprints. It also symbolised the partnerships, including the Springwood High School totem, the Magpie and the RFS symbol.

This program provided a connection to country, a connection to community and a connection to self. It provided a safe place to learn and express, not only through art but to meet their fellow students and get to learn and know about each other, fostering relationships.

This program was one of a kind, it provided connections and created a safe, inclusive, trusting environment that left an impact on all involved. MYST was proud to design and execute such a worthwhile program where we worked together and provided something meaningful for the Blue Mountains community.

The project was particularly popular for our Indigenous students, enabling them to connect with their culture and seeing their creative thrive.

Students learned new techniques for artistic creation that they are excited to use in their future studies. School teachers were grateful to MYST and the RFS for providing this valuable learning opportunity.

Over the course of the project, it was captured via drone footage and celebrated with a mural launch. Students were able to return and meet with local members including National Parks, Local council members and Rotary members. A smoking ceremony by Uncle Colin Lockier opened the tanks and celebrated the students achievements. MYST were honored to designed and manage this project, for those who live on Darug Land, bringing together community and connection to country.