The public is invited to attend the opening of a public artwork at Bert Payne Reserve, Newport, featuring some of Northern Beaches’ most talented artists. The twist? Most of them are in primary school.

Council Administrator Dick Persson AM said the artwork had been commissioned by Council to complete the Bert Payne Reserve all-abilities playground refurbished in November 2016.

“Northern Beaches Council is proud to display this wonderful artwork in our community. We thank the talented grade five and six students from Bilgola Plateau Public School who contributed,” Mr Persson said.

Local artist Meredith Rasdall, who worked with the students, was commissioned to create the stainless steel installation which features a range of local bird and marine life. It will be formally opened by Mr Persson at 4pm on Tuesday 18 July.

“It’s wonderful that this project gives value to children’s artwork within the community and acknowledges the talent of our local kids,” Ms Rasdall said.

To create the installation, the children drew sketches and then reproduced these as texta drawings. These were scanned into desktop publishing software by Council so they could be generated in stainless steel.

Inspired by poems about the local area (Newport Vignette by Loretta Barnard and Living in Pittwater by Joshua Robert-Coles) the artwork features a parrot, a magpie, a powerful owl, a flying fox, a kestrel, a stingray and a range of fish.

Bert Payne Reserve and Playground Artwork opening                                              
Barrenjoey Road, South end of the beach, Newport

Tuesday 18 July, 4 - 5pm

RSVP by Monday 17 July: creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au or 9970 1171