MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Dana Bay Conservancy recently commissioned another stunning mural on a structure at the Dana Bay Satellite Clinic in Distans Road.
With bright orange Leucospermum, commonly known as pincushions, and several beautiful birds endemic to Dana Bay now covering the structure, the aim of the mural is to start a conversation among Dana Bay residents about the village's flora and fauna, and raise awareness for the conservation of it.
This is the third mural that has been done in Dana Bay, and this particular one was painted by artist Jacques Schutte.
Dana Bay Conservancy chairperson Erika van der Westhuizen said all three murals have been painted by different local artists.
She chose Schutte for the third mural after she had come across his work through some Google searches.
"I really liked his art, so I approached him, and he accepted the challenge to send through his design and quote after I sent him some photos of birds endemic to Dana Bay," she said.
The conservancy also wanted to portray the bright orange Mossel Bay pincushions on the mural, as well as a part of the Dana Bay coastline towards Vleesbaai.
The completed mural. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Schutte completed the mural last Thursday, 19 March, after a month's work. He said it was the very first mural he had ever done, and that he usually works with oil paints.
He had been painting since he was little and enjoys art that has energy and movement, and painting landscapes.
"When she approached me, it was such a pleasant surprise," he said.
"I was so surprised how friendly the people were. They would walk by as I was painting and take photos, chat about it. I had some really cool chats with the locals as well. I haven't been in Dana Bay much. It has all been such a wonderful experience."
Van der Westhuizen chose the following birds for the mural: the jackal buzzard, Cape spotted owl, the Cape robin-chat, the Cape sugarbird, the brown-hooded kingfisher, the Southern double-collared sunbird, the helmeted guinea fowl, Burchell's coucal, and the Cape white-eye.
She said there simply wasn't enough space to capture all the other amazing birds in Dana Bay.
Van der Westhuizen thanked a local business for repairing the structure before the painting work began, as it had been falling apart and rust was setting in.
"The Dana Bay Conservancy is already planning their next mural," she said.
If you would like to join the conservancy, call or send a WhatsApp to 067 490 8396.
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