Trail of artworks to discover

SEVEN new artworks have been installed across the City of Ballarat to people to spend time in the CBD.

The murals are by local creatives and showcase their favourite aspects of Ballarat.

Local artist Scott Leonard said it was great to bring some colour into town. “Hopefully my piece brightens someone’s day,” he said. “As a creative, I love the different makers of Ballarat; the artists, photographers, jewellers, ceramicists, chefs, breweries, baristas, musicians that put the town on the map.

“I created a fun collaged typography and illustration piece championing the world class people of the town.”

Trail locations include the corner of Mair and Armstong streets where Joel Hammonds has taken inspiration from the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and Margie Balazic’s colourful story-book style mural is at Hop Lane.

Spencer Harrison’s artwork at The Unicorn includes the Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ fernery and begonia collection.

“It was quite challenging to narrow down the list of things I love about Ballarat for my artwork,” he said.

“We are very lucky with the amazing range of food, drink, art and natural beauty we have in this town, so I tried to pick a few of the main things I love and translate them into my minimal abstract style for my artwork.

“Hopefully it’s a little like a Where’s Wally book and viewers can have fun recognising the different items in my piece.”

The trail will be on display until Monday 22 July and visitors can share what they love about each artwork via a QR code.

Those who do so will go into a draw to win a gift voucher valued at $100 for businesses in the Midwest Victoria region.