A SET of silos along the Dukes Highway has become one of the state’s most photographed artworks.
A mural of five children at play, painted on 30-metre high Viterra grain silos at Coonalpyn, was officially unveiled on Monday, but it has been attracting attention during the painting process for months.
Between one and three cars are pulling in to Coonalpyn every minute during daylight hours to marvel at the towering icon, with huge numbers following artist Guido van Helten’s progress online.
Coorong District Council chief executive officer Vincent Cammell said the project brought about a sense of community pride and belief for the future of a once dwindling country town.
“This project has exceeded everyone’s expectations, with online engagement alone reaching more than half a million people internationally,” Mr Cammell said. “Investing in art is new for our council, and it’s paying off in ways we never imagined. We have new businesses opening their doors, more jobs being created, producers growing as they help feed the hordes of visitors, accommodation booked out, inaugural events starting up and so much more.”
The five children on the silos have been revealed as six-year-olds Kiarah Leske and Blake Thompson, five-year-olds Macey Jacobs and Reef Gregor and Ciara Johnson, aged nine, from Coonalpyn Primary School.
Council’s community and corporate director Nat Traeger said more was planned, including a new Snapchat filter and tourism events.