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After a period where Kalgoorlie's historic main street has seen empty shops, social disruption and even a riot, a group of local and international artists have breathed life back into the city centre.
The Heartwalk project has seen more than 30 artists descend on Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 600km east of Perth, transforming the windows of vacant shops and previously blank building walls into canvases for public art.
Renowned street artists Askew One, Stormie Mills, Brenton See and Amok Island have all produced major installations, while locals have put their own touches on shop windows, shopping arcades and other sections of Kalgoorlie's central business district.
The arts push comes in the middle of a concerted effort to renew the city's public image, which was badly damaged by last year's riot, sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Instant facelift for town
The idea of Heartwalk began with Kalgoorlie designer and artist Paula Fletcher 18 months ago, as a way to reinvigorate the city.
While Kalgoorlie-Boulder escaped the worst lows of the mining downturn, high rents and other issues saw roughly 30 per cent of Hannan Street's businesses sitting vacant.
But Ms Fletcher saw art as a potential way to make use of the empty shop-fronts.
"The state of a public art scene in the town says a lot about the way a town feels about itself," Ms Fletcher said.
"I think beautifying the shared spaces will make people feel more optimistic and positive about what's happening in town.
"It really shines a light on the creativity bubbling beneath the surface here."
Arts booming in mining town
The project's popularity amongst young local artists also reflects the changing image for the mining town, which has undergone something of an arts and culture boom.
A growing number of younger professionals have seen shifts in everything from the city's cafe and pub culture, to the type of person taking the lead in public projects.
Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission chairwoman Kate Fielding said the community ownership was one of the Heartwalk's most positive aspects.
"I think Kalgoorlie has seen a bit of a cultural revolution over the past few years," Ms Fielding said.
"People are so excited this is happening, that people from this place are changing the way our streets look."
An Australia Council for the Arts board member, Ms Fielding said the positive effects of public art were well documented.
"Research shows that when you have a strong creative and cultural industry, there's a measurable uptick in things like innovation, retail growth and property values," she said.
"I think this is a real turning point for our community."
'It brings happiness to a lot of people'
For local artist Edie Ulrich, the festival has been a chance to spread happiness.
"[Kalgoorlie] hasn't had a good vibe recently," she said.
"It can show a real positive side to Kalgoorlie."
Working on the front of a vacant Chinese restaurant, Ms Ulrich spent the week producing a work inspired by her outback home.
She said the work of local artists and volunteers was inspirational for the city.
"If we work together, it shows we can make things happen for the good," Ms Ulrich said.
Art like buying a woman a bunch of flowers
Perth-based street artist Stormie Mills said the week had been a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved.
"To me, painting walls is a bit like giving a woman a bunch of flowers; the memory is more important than whether it lasts or not," he said.
Tasked with transforming the concrete wall of a local carpark, Mills said it was an ideal way to get people thinking about where they live.
"It's a really good way to get people interested in their space — to look at things they would normally walk past," he said.
"All of a sudden, it becomes a conversation."
He said Kalgoorlie locals had expressed plenty of interest; with the accessibility part of street art's appeal.
"There might be a kid who asks a question, then goes on to be the next greatest thing," Mills said.
"It's turning the gallery inside out."
Topics: street-art, contemporary-art, regional, urban-development-and-planning, kalgoorlie-6430
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