A new public art project is lighting up Geelong’s northern suburbs, bringing together local students, the community, and public spaces in a vibrant display of creativity.
Light Letters, part of the broader Northside community program from Back to Back Theatre, showcases stories, poems, and artworks developed by senior students from Nelson Park School.
Over the past 18 months, students have worked with Back to Back Theatre artists Marcia Ferguson, Glen Smith, Dominic Weintraub, and former student Nikita Veitch. Their collaboration has resulted in unique pieces reflecting their experiences and originality, deeply connected to the local community and places.
“The students were asked to respond to each site location through improvisation, games, and drawings, by considering the history of various sites, why people connect to place, what keeps us coming back, and how a place can hold meaning in our lives,” Back to Back Theatre’s community and education producer Nikki Watson says.
“The locations were carefully selected in the northern suburbs of Geelong.”
What makes Light Letters special is its public display. Instead of being kept in a book, student works now appear on Variable Message Signs and LED billboards throughout the northern suburbs.
These can be seen on major streets, shopping centres, and at Beckley Park in Corio. A student-illustrated map has been carefully designed, helping the public find their way to the various locations, bringing art into daily life.
The project has also been included in the Geelong Design Week program.
This installation highlights the incredible talent within our community and demonstrates how the arts can inspire and connect people. Explore the map, enjoy the artwork around Geelong, and reflect on the power of art and innovation in everyday life.
Find out more at backtobacktheatre.com or take a walk-through Geelong’s northern suburbs.
Light Letters is supported by the Anthony Costa Foundation, Cassandra Gantner Foundation, Give Where You Live Foundation. Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian government initiative; the Department of Education Victoria through its Strategic Partnerships Program; and is presented as part of Geelong Design Week.
Back to Back Theatre is supported by the Australian government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, the Victorian government through Creative Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong and the Anthony Costa Foundation.
Back to Back Theatre would like to acknowledge the support of Total Outdoor Media (TOM), Corio Village, Rosewall Community Centre, Geelong Regional Library (Corio Branch) & Harrlex Property Group, and would also like to thank the Nelson Park School community for their ongoing support in bringing artistic projects to the school.
