A garden wall at Castlemaine Community House has been brought to life with a vibrant new mural by local artist Joey Pratt, creating a colourful and welcoming space for the young people who gather there.
The artwork takes its cue from the surrounding community garden — a reflection of both place and community.
For Joey, the project is as much about shifting perceptions as it is about creating something visually striking.
“It helps young people to see graffiti in a different light,” he said.
“It’s not just tags and scribbling on things — it can be art, and you can make a career out of it.”
Art has always been part of Joey’s world. Growing up in a creative family, he was surrounded by drawing and hands-on craft from an early age.
“My mum and dad are artists. My dad is a stonemason and draws. My mum draws, but never pursued a career in it,” he said.
“I’ve always done portraits, which I get from my mum, and my dad taught me a lot of sculpture techniques.”
Now working across a range of mediums, from portraiture and sculpture to large-scale murals, Joey’s work is becoming increasingly familiar around town. He was part of the group that created the street mural in Mechanics Lane with local young people, and his designs can also be spotted on one of the council rubbish trucks.
Still, he says, making a sustainable career as an artist in a regional area comes with its challenges.
“It can be hard to make a living as an artist, especially in a small country town,” he said.
“We don’t have the same opportunities as people in the city, where people are more accepting of murals like this.”
The project also carries a personal connection. Joey completed his year 10 equivalent at the community house — and admits his creative streak wasn’t always appreciated in the classroom.
“I was always getting in trouble for drawing on my books and not doing my work, and now here I am still drawing — and now it’s my work.”
Castlemaine Community House executive officer Mahira Sobral said the mural was a way to make the space more inviting and welcoming for young people.
“We’re focusing on more mental health and art programs this year, so there will be a lot of after-school activities starting soon,” she said.
“We want the garden to be a space where everyone can feel welcome. If we keep investing in it, then the community will keep caring for it too.”
Youth project officer Kyan Laslett O’Brien said the mural had already transformed the feel of the garden and Joey’s longstanding connection to the local youth community had played a big role in the project’s success.
“He’s done workshops with us, and he’s really respected by the young people,” he said. “He’s given a lot of his own time to this and created something really special that the kids love.”
