The heritage-listed library at Old Kyneton Primary School came to life recently with the sounds of enthusiastic young people learning new photography skills.
Guided by photographer Sandy Scheltema in collaboration with Social Foundry — a not-for-profit social enterprise in Kyneton — the budding photographers operated a pop-up studio during the Kyneton Arts and Daffodil Festival, capturing 94 vibrant portraits of local community members in just four and a half hours.
These portraits — along with many more — will form a large-scale mural to be installed inside the OKPS library. Created by the community, of the community, and for the community, the mural celebrates Kyneton’s diversity, creativity, and spirit.
The word portrait comes from the Latin protraho, meaning “to bring forth” or “to bring to light”. The young participants used their new skills to bring their subjects to life with big smiles.
“I loved learning how to use the cameras and getting the right angles of faces and meeting people,” said 14-year-old Annabell Edwards from Kyneton High School.
“I think the mural is a really good idea to bring the whole community together.”
Community life coordinator at Social Foundry Sue-Lee Theel said it was so special to be part of the workshop, seeing the young ones excited to learn and upskill themselves.
“The icing on the cake was seeing Paige and Asher take ownership of the mural project at the Sunday Daffodil Parade pop up studio,” she said.
If you or your community group would like to have your portraits included in the mural — helping to reflect the diversity of Kyneton — contact: Sandy Scheltema at sandyscheltema.com/contact or visit the Social Foundry events page: socialfoundry.org.au/whats-on
