Thames Coast Community Kindergarten has a new mural, thanks to local artist Kylie Gunn.
Inspired by the native birds that flock to the surrounding pohutukawa, the mural runs along the length of the kindy building. It’s visible from the adjoining tennis courts, bowling club and park.
“It’s for this whole community,” head teacher Karen Bowie said.
The project was a community effort from start to finish. The kindy’s families came together for a working bee to clear and prepare the area for painting, install raised gardens and even assist with the painting of the mural’s background. Artist Kylie Gunn, whose children attended the kindy, donated her time to add the main details to the painting.
The project was assisted by donations of goods and time from several businesses including Kiwi Kids charity, Coastal Bins, Resene, the Te Puru tennis club, and Devan Plastics, who offered a water tank to the kindy to keep the gardens maintained.
“That will teach the kids about water conservation as well,” Karen said.
By ALICE PARMINTER, Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
