If you do not know what murals are don't worry, you are not the only person, not on this side of globe at least. But hey, here comes auntie Wiki: check the Mural. Basically it is a painting (art work as nicely described) applied directly on the wall. Recently graffiti and street art are taking over the space reserved by murals nevertheless murals are still alive and each year there are many events popularizing this type of art. Just by chance I learned about murals, thanks to a walking encyclopedia - the bus driver transporting me and 5 other happy travellers to the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre.
The story behind Sheffield is quite interesting. The town has approximately 1,400 population but over 120,000 - 200,000 visitors wanting to see its famous wall paintings annually.
Inspired by a small Canadian town on Vancouver Island, Chemainus, that was rescued from vanishing through mural art, Sheffield managed to follow them and revive the town. Early murals were inspired with district’s pioneering history on their walls. I liked the town for the fact it was truly "organic", if you could say that about any town. Very small but well preserved so you could feel the pioneers walking the same streets as you, drinking the same coffee (as if!!). ;) The only "disappointment" was the local ice cream shop - well advertised with a colorful banner for home made delicious flavours - the shop was closed. Funny enough, all the 4 ladies from our bus took this as their agenda point and we all were dismissed with the doors shut.
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| One of the murals in Sheffiled, Tasmania. Each year the village is hosting a Mural Festival popularizing this form of art. |
The whole day was not about Sheffield, not at all. It started with a big bus delay and me nervously checking my watch in order to make calculations whether I will have enough time to walk the first day of the Overland Track.
