Mural tells of tower’s history

Melbourne-based artist Hayden Dewar is painting a mural on the Werribee water tower. (Supplied/Arts Asisst) 209513_01

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A giant mural being painted on the historic Werribee water tower is well underway.

Not-for-profit community organisation Arts Assist is leading the project, which is being completed by Melbourne-based artist Hayden Dewar.

The mural, which was funded under the state government’s Community Support Fund, will depict the water tower’s historical significance to the local community and how it has contributed to the development of Werribee and surrounds.

The design also includes flora and fauna which are significant to the local area.

Southern Rural Water is a partner in the project, which aims to turn the disused 18.5 metre-high concrete water tower into a community artwork and tourist attraction.

The water tower, which was built more than 100 years ago, was drained and cleaned before Mr Dewar began working on the mural, on May 18.

It will take around five weeks for the mural to be painted.

Mr Dewar’s mural will cover most of the water tower’s surface, including the upper drum.

In order to select an artist to complete the mural, Arts Assist advertised the commission, inviting artists to submit an expression of interest that detailed their experience and expertise.

From the submissions, a shortlist of three artists were invited to prepare visual concept proposals.

The visual concepts were assessed by the project working party, to select the artist who best responded to the project brief.

See artsassist.org.au/ or facebook.com/ArtsAssistWyndham/ for details.