 |
 |
Press Release
Giving New Voice to Sheffield's Murals
18 March 2008
The north-west town of Sheffield has a new visitor drawcard with the launch today of an audio walking tour that brings Sheffield’s murals to life.
The Minister for Economic Development and Tourism, Paula Wriedt today launched the Sheffield Mural Audio Tour at the Kentish Visitor Information Centre in Sheffield.
“Sheffield is Tasmania’s outdoor art gallery, a place where history and art merge to create an entire town of murals.
“Thanks to the enterprising and creative work of the Kentish Visitor Information Centre, visitors to Sheffield now have a new way to experience the town’s murals and be engaged with tales of local characters and events,” Ms Wriedt said.
The audio tours are available from the Kentish Visitor Information Centre, they can be played on a waterproof handheld device while exploring the Sheffield Mural Walk.
“The new audio tours are an innovative form of interpretation, giving visitors the independence and flexibility to enjoy Sheffield’s murals at their own pace,” Ms Wriedt said.
The audio tour launch comes as Sheffield prepares to host the annual Wilderness Gallery International Mural Fest and for the first time, the Global Mural Conference.
“Tasmania’s ‘Town of Murals’ will host artists, mural enthusiasts and curious visitors from around the world from 23-29 March for a week of mural festivities and thought-provoking presentations,” Ms Wriedt said.
The first murals were painted in Sheffield in 1986, when the community looked to revive the region’s economy and sense of pride.
“As well as enhancing the visitor experience, the revenue from the mural audio tours will add significantly to visitor centre’s ongoing sustainability,” Ms Wriedt said.
A grant of $2,500 was provided by the Tasmanian Government, through the Tasmanian Visitor Information Network (TVIN) Visitor Experience Assistance Program, to assist with the research and development of the mural audio tour project.
“The State Government is proud to be supporting this innovative and entrepreneurial tourism project that is another feather in the cap for the north-west tourism industry.
“The Kentish Visitor Information Centre has developed a tourism product that responds to visitors’ needs, providing them with a simple, fun and economical way of hearing the stories behind the murals,” Ms Wriedt said.