AFTER a cosy, colourful and successful yarn-bombing project in 2021, the Bridge Mall Business Association is running another winter initiative to unite the creative community.<\/p>\n
Registrations are now open for residents to contribute to ARTIFY The Bridge, which is set to fill and brighten the shopping precinct with the art of residents, clubs, schools, and organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just yarn-bombing this year, we\u2019ve opened it up to include other art projects and installations on the trees,\u201d general manager Germaine Davey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn artwork could still be yarn-bombing, or something else, but what\u2019s key here is imagination. We\u2019re always flexible and will accommodate people\u2019s different ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entries already include long scarfs, upcycled pieces, crochet work, painting and drawing.<\/p>\n
Contributors could win prizes at a celebration in July, including $200 for best-in-show, and awards for most imaginative entry, best under-18 entry, best community group, and people\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat is an incredibly creative community, and we\u2019re really passionate about joining with them to deliver these sorts of projects because The Bridge is a community space,\u201d Ms Davey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love to see individuals, community groups, and schools making and participating in this project as we believe that these types of activities strengthen our bonds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Davey said any activities that further beautify Ballarat, and the polarising Bridge Mall, are always worthwhile, but they need to be supported and driven by local people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council can invest money into The Bridge Mall, and we can invest all our time and energy into The Bridge Mall, but it really comes down to the community changing their mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only as good as the community that supports it. We employ a lot of people down here, and they\u2019re worth supporting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n