Manly street-art proposal to give rundown laneways a vibrant new look

Manly’s laneways could be set for a Melbourne-style revamp, with the council pushing ahead with a community street-art project.

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Manly’s laneways could be set for a Melbourne-style revamp, with the council pushing ahead with a community street-art project.

The initiative, which is part of the Manly 2015 Masterplan, would see the laneways in Manly’s newly pedestrianised CBD come alive with professional street art, encouraging locals and visitors to walk around and enjoy the works.

Councillor Steve Pickering moved the original motion for the project which was put to the council last May.

He said he was pleased the council had decided to push ahead. “We want to make our laneways more interesting, engaging and attractive to young people,” he said.

“They will be professional works but they’ll have an offbeat look – that’s the plan.”

Mr Pickering was keen to point out that the works would not be graffiti.

Diego Acevedo Liasa is the artist and inspiration behind the project. He owns the Painter’s Gallery Manly and currently has an artwork on display on his external wall in Market Lane.

Mr Liasa said there were three important aspects to the Manly Art Project.

“Introducing culture, creating interaction between the community and the artist and to bring more visitors to the area,” he said.

Mr Liasa said he wanted Manly to become an art destination.

“This will bring in more people, more business for everyone and – at the same time – all the locals can enjoy the aesthetics of the art and interact with the artist when they’re painting.

“It’s like bringing an art studio to the street.”

The project is a win-win for everyone, according to Mr Liasa. Cr Pickering said the next stage in rolling out the project was to assess the public spaces owned by the council.

Funding for the project will also be looked at in the council’s 2016-17 budget.