General News
26 April, 2025
Silo art bringing back tourists to Rupanyup
Visitors are being drawn back to Rupanyup after the long-awaited spruce of the town's silo art was completed at the end of March by artist Smug, aka Sam Bates.
Rupanyup Progress Association secured a grant from the Victorian Government's Tiny Towns program which helped the project begin, alongside contributions from Yarriambiack Shire Council, Rupanyup Minyip Finance Group, Rupanyup Major Events and the Rupanyup Lions Club.
Rupanyup Progress Association president Carmel Healy said they are "thrilled" the silo art is now done.
"The community has definitely noticed an increase in people visiting since it's been done," she said.
"We're just really grateful that the community groups that contributed could also see the benefits there."
The previous piece was done by Russian artist Julia Volchkova in 2017 of children Ebony and Jordan painted in black and white.
Due to fading and rusting, the artwork needed to be redone.
"The Wimmera weather just cooked it," Ms Healy said.
"This one was done on steel instead of concrete like the others are."
Ms Healy said they noticed the changes two years ago and was decided then that it needed to be redone.
"The Rupanyup Progress Association decided that they would get the ball rolling and contact the local groups," she said.
In the summer of 2023/24, responses from groups started to come back which allowed the project to go ahead.
Ms Healy said a group in Melbourne provided them with a few artists, allowing them to choose who they wanted.
"Smug has done pieces all over the world and is very well known," she said.
"We looked at his portfolio and it matched what we were wanting."
Landscape, environment, bird-life, agriculture and the beautiful sunset are all featured in the new design that is filled with colours.
"We're delighted to have it back and coffee shops have been opening on weekends," Ms Healy said.
The Blacksmith Rupanyup, a local coffee shop, is located right in the centre of town and has embraced the extra foot traffic and is now open on weekends.
"It's been very good and well received by everyone," she said.
"Rupanyup is back on the Silo Art Trail."
