Kids Helpline and Bupa invite children to help create a new art installation
A new initiative hopes to bring children back into the city to see their very own Melbourne-themed art translated into a large and colourful installation by local artist Beci Orpin.
Submissions are now open for children across Victoria, whether they live in Melbourne or visit the city from regional Victoria, to contribute their own original artwork that symbolises their favourite thing about Melbourne for a chance to be included in the piece commissioned by Bupa.
The pieces can be paintings, drawings or collages with each piece of children’s artwork chosen will be collated by Beci into the ‘Colour Melbourne - An expression of what kids love most about our city’ installation that will be displayed in Melbourne’s CBD.
Bupa and Kids Helpline invite parents, teachers and children to submit their original artwork via this link until December 6.
Tracy Adams, CEO of yourtown which operates Kids Helpline, said art can be a wonderful coping mechanism for children and a great way to reignite positive feelings and fond memories.
“The personal nature of art can help children express their thoughts and feelings in a different way. Art also promotes mindfulness which means it’s a great way to cope with change and for children, being able to make sense of the ‘new normal’ post lockdown,” Tracy said.
“When Bupa approached us with the idea we were thrilled with the concept. Encouraging kids to think about what they love most about Melbourne and translating those positive feelings into something tangible like art and being able to see their creation on a huge city window – it’s a unique way to celebrate their hometown after a challenging year."
Melbourne artist Beci Orpin believes art helps children express their creativity and feelings.
“The way that kids see things is so special. There’s a lot that immediately springs to mind when you think of kids and Melbourne; tram rides, big parks to run around in, hot jam doughnuts from the market. I’m expecting that we will see some highly creative and heartfelt submissions that will delight us all,” Beci said.
“I can’t wait to receive their artwork and start to create a piece that really brings to life what kids feel and love most about this city.”
Bupa People Director Kate Dee, said the project was part of the Let’s Melbourne Again initiative, and Bupa as a founding partner, recognised the importance of supporting the return of people to Melbourne’s CBD.
“As a proud Melbourne employer with a strong people and customer base in the city, we wanted to do something really unique and lasting to help inject that colour and life back into the CBD.
“Melbourne is arguably the cultural capital of Australia, and art such a quintessential part of the city. Many of our team are parents who have been working from home, so with Beci’s vision we can create something pretty special for kids to visit that will also give our team a colourful welcome back to the office next year,” said Kate.
The ‘Colour Melbourne - An expression of what kids love most about our city’ installation will be on display at 33 Exhibition Street Melbourne from early December and remain in place over the summer for children and their families to visit and enjoy.
