Sat. Nov 16th, 2024

The official grand opening for the Quirindi Silo Art Project has been set for Friday the 27th of January with a family friendly street party and the revealing of a new light show.

The project to transform the Quirindi GrainCorp silos into an amazing artwork has been four years in the making, led by a volunteer committee with a vision for the new tourist attraction.

Kim Lawlor from the Quirindi Silo Art Project Committee said they want the community to come and celebrate the completion of this long project.

“This night has been a long time coming, we’ve been working on this for four years, and it’s finally here,” she said.

A free family friendly street party is planned for the grand opening, with live music and food available, including free children’s activities, face painting and more.

“There’s plenty of good spots to bring down a blanket or camping chair and enjoy the show,” Ms Lawlor said.

If you’d prefer to have a seat and enjoy a meal served to you while enjoying the entertainment, a catered seating area will be available at $50 per person. Those wishing to enjoy the Wattle Bistro catered meal need to book either per seat or a table of 8 in advance online. There will also be other food vendors including the Lions Club BBQ and drink stalls available. The event is alcohol free.

Ian Carter, who had the original idea and started the committee, will open the project. Local state MP Kevin Anderson is also expected to attend.

Artist Peter Ryan will also give a speech talking about his work. Mr Ryan was selected from a world wide field of artists, his vision to capture the nature, tradition and vitality of the Liverpool Plains in the artwork winning him the job. Ryan first came to Quirindi from his base in Perth in October last year, and the painting has happened very quickly since then.

The festivities will begin at around 5pm, with the official opening at 6pm. The unveiling of the Illuminart light show will begin once it is dark.

Ms Lawlor said the idea of the light show was to make the silo art a tourist attraction where people will stop and stay in the town, rather than pull up for a few minutes and just take a photo.

“The light show will run every night. this show will run for a few months, and then we’ll change it.”

The silo art is already drawing crowds with the mural of native Australian wildlife and a farming scene completed in December 2022.

The Quirindi Silo Art mural (image: supplied)

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