It was a light show originally planned to help Blackheath recover from the 2019 bushfires, but one of the words currently emblazoned on the town's Victory Theatre could just as well describe the project itself: Persevere.
Organisers of the illumination project had little choice but to persevere when the project was delayed by COVID-19, causing its winter 2019 opening to be postponed by almost a year.
But they didn't give up on the plan plan, and with funding from Destination NSW, were able to involve local illustrators as paid artists as well as employ and mentor three Blue Mountains animation trainees to create the projection.
Titled the Blue Mountains Breathing Space, the projections onto the theatre building came to fruition after the Blackheath Business Chamber realised that to help local businesses, tourists needed to feel confident to return to the Mountains. Lis Bastian from the Big Fix suggested that art could play a role in healing and bringing people back to the Mountains.
There was even a word proposed for idea: RegenerArt.
Illuminart, a projection art company based in the Blue Mountains, and the Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre (BANC), were inspired to help and began working on some ideas for local artists and community.
BANC worked with local schools, and community artists created artwork to inspire hope and encourage tourists to return to the Mountains for 'a breath of fresh air, and positivity' with the hope to present a projection in midwinter, 2019.
"All the participants involved in making the art, from school children through to local community artists are so excited that they have finally come to light," said Verity Brookes, creative producer at illuminart.
The messages of hope and courage will be projected onto the Victory Theatre, Govetts Leap Road every night until Sunday, May 2. Each night from 6-7pm, a school class artwork will play. Then from 7-9pm the projection will feature a range of contributions from local photographers, artists and animators.
The project was made possible through the support of Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, The Blue Mountains City Council and illuminart. It is supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW's 2020 Regional Event Fund program. Organisers also thank Blackheath/Mt Vic RFS, BMEE, The Big Fix and the Blackheath business community.
