Patrick Goldsmith, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Warooka’s art will come alive when augmented reality takes a hold of a new art project called Moving Murals, next year.

Through the project, augmented reality enabled murals will be painted on easily accessible walls and structures in Warooka and further south, in a bid to extend the growth of regional art tourism trails on southern Yorke Peninsula and attract people to the town.

The idea was sparked when Ballara Art and Lifestyle Retreat owner Steph Ball was involved with a Burra exhibition which utilised augmented reality.

Project coordinator Carolyn Ramsey said the focus is to create a project which engages the whole community — and beyond — during the process and after its completion.

“We thought we would extend the success of the water tower/tank mural project, but that pretty much stops at Yorketown because over on this side, we don’t really have those mega structures you can see from the horizon,” Ms Ramsey said.

“However, if we could put an augmented reality function in them, then there’s something new and amazing, and a point of difference for people to come, stop in the town and then continue travelling.

“We’re right at the very beginning of this; we have support from Uni SA for all the AR things and they’re going to come over and run a session with all our artists.

“Our artists, through a community consultation process, will come up with artwork which reflects the community, such as the flora and fauna, local Indigenous stories and history.”

Ms Ramsey said those wishing to indulge in the fun will only need to download a free app, and when viewed through the app, aspects of the murals will move.

Artist Jason Swales, who has been involved in other large murals on SYP, said he was thrilled with the idea of the project.

“I love it, I think it’s brilliant; just show me where to paint,” he said.

“When you’re painting, you’re trying to create something which feels alive and tells a story anyway, so this is just an exciting extension of that.”

The project has been facilitated through Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and Yorke Peninsula Council grants, and in partnership with the University of South Australia Creative.

The Warooka Progress Association Arts Development project team will host a community consultation session for anyone interested in the project at the Ballara Art and Lifestyle Retreat, 7pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 29.

The first mural will be on the water tank next to Ballara, on Main Street, hopefully to be completed by Easter next year.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 7 November 2023.