A mural created by the pupils of Dana Street Public School for Central Square in 1999 has been removed from public display, leaving the arts community dismayed and the original facilitators of the work angered.
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Peter Widmer and Geoff Bonney were two members of the creative group Ratartat who helped design and facilitate the large mural, which was installed on a blank wall near the Armstrong Street entrance to the shopping mall.
The pair were commissioned to work with children from the local primary school to create works which enlivened the space, and also to provide an alternative to graffiti which had been a problem from the creation of Central Square.
Mr Widmer said at the time, the square's management had been seeking a solution to young people 'hanging around' in the area, as well as overcoming a persistent, perceived fear that the square was unsafe.
Geoff Bonney and Widmer were to create a work involving a sense of community and ownership into Central Square. Their design involved a series of colour-coded images, and was created specifically to involve local primary school students.
"One of the driving factors behind the commission was that Central Square management was spending thousands of dollars a year cleaning and repainting because of graffiti," Mr Widmer wrote in a social media post.
"That painting saved them a huge amount of money while sparking up a very ordinary place."
Mr Bonney and Mr Widmer approached the managers of Central Square, JLL property management, for an explanation about what happened to the art work, and were told it had been removed with City of Ballarat approval and was being stored in 'a locker'.
"I went and asked the Central Square Marketing Manager," Mr Widmer wrote.
"She said it had been decided to remove it 'to freshen-up' the area. I asked what the plans for the 'freshen-up' were, she said there aren't any... or perhaps 'some signage'."
In response to questions posed about the work by The Courier, JLL property management provided a written response.
"After 20 years, the mural has been taken down and is stored in a safe, secure and dry space. Every care was taken to ensure the mural panels remain intact. It was initially offered to the Dana Street Primary School but they have declined the offer.
"Several meetings were then held with Council to understand what process was to be followed, and a Planning Permit was applied for and approved.
"The mural is not owned by the shopping centre, and we are looking for a community space or organisation who would enjoy this piece and would continue to celebrate its history.
"There are no immediate plans for another art piece or mural."
JLL's website describes the company as being here to create rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces around the globe where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we are building a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities.
Visiting the now-vacant site on Tuesday, artist Geoff Bonney said he hoped the company managing the area wouldn't replace the mural with advertising.
"It was under the cover of the verandah, so it was still in very good condition despite being 20 years old," Mr Bonney said.
"I don't mind artwork being replaced - sometimes we need new work - but it would be a betrayal to replace it with advertising. And I'd like to see the work safe."
The pair said they understood Dana Street Primary School was unable to relocate the work to the school premises.
JLL's spokesperson said the company believed the mural was a community art piece.
"It would be great if anyone who has evidence supporting this would come forward," the spokesperson said.
The City of Ballarat approved an application by Central Square management to remove the 20-year-old mural from one of its walls on April 10. A council spokesperson said the City of Ballarat would encourage any community group who may be able to display it appropriately to contact Central Square management directly.