Biripi Community Mural Project Connecting Elders and Students

Thanks to the generous support from Arts Mid North Coast’s Creative Recovery Grant, I had the incredible opportunity to lead a unique community art project focused on healing and resilience. This project brought together Biripi Elders, including the respected Aunty Isabel and the Biripi Women Elders, alongside gifted mural artist Josh Wood, and First Nation students from Taree High School.

Our collective mission for the Biripi community mural project was to design and create a powerful community mural that reflects the profound effects of recent natural disasters — droughts, fires, and flooding — on our local area. More than just a mural, this artwork honors the resilience of the Biripi people and their deep connection to the land, symbolized by the Corroboree at Saltwater.

Through this creative collaboration, we used visual storytelling to capture the lived experiences, emotions, and cultural strength of our community. This mural stands as a vibrant testament to how art can foster community healing, promote cultural understanding, and inspire hope during times of recovery.

At its core, my work focuses on bringing people together through creative workshops and community collaborations, using art as a tool to empower voices that need to be seen and heard. Projects like this highlight how creativity can drive social change, build connections across generations, and celebrate Indigenous heritage.

Discover more about this inspiring project and the impact of arts-led recovery initiatives here.