Creative Bay of Plenty has announced the completion of five new public art projects, transforming Tauranga’s otherwise colourless Chorus telecommunications cabinets. We are dedicated to making civic spaces more colourful and interesting, and recently commissioned new original art works by Alex McLeod, Shane Walker, Elise Perie, Sam Doran and Ivy Bates.
“The result is an ever-growing gallery on the street with new art now in place from Oropi to Otumoetai,” says Creative Bay of Plenty project coordinator Rose Treadwell. “Over the past five years, this project has engaged dozens of local artists and commissioned a number of new creative environments.”
Creative Bay of Plenty facilitates the process in partnership with Chorus and The Breeze Tauranga to identify locations and establish an annual theme, and then guides the selected artists to install their work and beautify our communities. The current commissions were asked to address our history or stories from the surrounding area.
“My cabinet mural in Salisbury Avenue celebrates the peculiar history of Moturiki—also known as Leisure Island,” said artist Alex McLeod. “Viewers and passers by can look back in time—from Pā site to Crown quarry to Marine Land aquarium to recreation centre for swimming, bumper boats, and hydro slides.”
Creative Bay of Plenty will soon announce the next call for artists to add even more colour and creativity to Tauranga’s civic spaces. Painters, mural makers, and visual artists wanting to get involved or learn more should contact project coordinator Rose Treadwell at rose@creativebop.org.nz.
View more images of 2020’s cabinets below. Photos by Jess Lowcher.
Alex McLeod – Salisbury Ave
Alex McLeod – The Strand
Elise Périé – Cambridge Road
Sam Doran – Harrington Rd
Shane Walker – Willow St
Ivy Bates – Oropi Rd
