Visitors to the Alpha Street Reserve in Cromwell have witnessed a creative transformation of the Alpha Street Pavilion over the past couple of weeks. 

A multicultural mural has been painted on the exterior of the pavilion, featuring faces of the community and acknowledging the role sport plays in bringing people together. 

The Central Otago District Arts Trust commissioned the artwork in partnership with Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities.

The trust recognises a growing enthusiasm for public art projects across the district, trust coordinator Rebekah de Jong said.

“The Cromwell Multicultural Mural was an ideal opportunity to continue to support diverse art genres by bringing a street art project to the community.”

Welcoming Communities supported the project through a grant from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to support connections between newcomers and members of the community.  

“We’re proud of how this art celebrates the many different nationalities who have made Cromwell their home,” former Welcoming Communities officer Deborah Beange said.

Street artist ‘Ling’, who painted the mural, has strong ties to Cromwell and was thrilled to explore and nurture those connections to the community. 

“Spending time in the community and listening to the comments of those who stopped by reinforced the level of interest in the project,” the artist said.  

“It shows how much the community cares.”

 Ling met individually with each of the people featured in the mural. 

“Those interactions are important as it allows individual personalities to come alive,” he said. “Portraits involve exploring both the physical attributes and the personality behind the face. 

“I’ve enjoyed sharing stories and being part of welcoming people into the community through this artwork.”     

The mural is complete but an interpretation panel is still being developed to provide further insight into the people behind the portraits and highlight some subtle references that may not be obvious at first glance. 

A ceremony to unveil the mural will be planned for June.