The laneway behind Woolworths in Bairnsdale has been undergoing a transformation over a series of months. 
The Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) who is behind the project, is thrilled to announce the launch of ‘Laneway 3875’.
The project has been a work in progress for the committee of the BCCI and the wider community for the past 17 months.
BCCI president, Jaime Savory, told the Advertiser “It has been amazing to see local artists reinvigorate the 70 metre long laneway mural and the comments we are getting from both business owners and the wider community is very encouraging”.
Local mural artist and multimedia specialist, Lee Nickless, was employed to source local artists to participate and curate the project.
“With some guidelines and direction from the committee we came up with a theme of resilience and regeneration of the landscape,” Mr Nickless said.
“After the bushfires this seemed to be a meaningful and worthwhile subject.”
The project brought together eight local artists who each interpreted the theme in their own way.
The participating artists include Sean Lockhart, Tracey Solomon, Jesse Kidd, Amelie Boucher, Alan Solomon, Josh Willoughby, Anli Vuong and lead artist, Lee Nickless.
The artists presented their designs to BCCI with the artworks receiving the go ahead and work commencing.
Mr Nickless said the artists thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“It was extremely heart-warming having people of all ages and backgrounds coming up to us with encouraging words and praise.
“To have people excited to use the laneway and feel safer walking to their cars due to the improvements is such a fantastic outcome,” Mr Nickless said.
Ms Savory said the laneway will be officially launched on the evening of June 18 as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
She encouraged everyone to “come along to the launch night and see the murals come to life with augmented reality”.
Live music, roaming performers, and a feast of food will be on offer.
“I’d like to publicly thank the Primary Health Network Gippsland and the Federal Government for providing funding towards this project to get it off the ground,” Ms Savory said.

IMAGE: Lead artist, Lee Nickless’ ‘Birds of the Land,’ which is part of a mural, recently painted, in the laneway behind Woolworths in Bairnsdale. (PS)