Space Animation Project (Media release)

Until recently the window of this empty shop in Sydney Road was covered in graffiti, old posters and grotty glue.

Thanks to a project called ‘Space Animation’ it’s now home to some gorgeous illustrations by local artist, Sam Marshall.

“We are trying to clean up those areas and make them more appealing so people will want to lease them out,” said Claire Perry, Manager of the Sydney Road Brunswick Association which has funded the project.

“With the shops having a clean frontage they are less likely to get tagged or have posters stuck to the windows,” Ms Perry said.

Vacant shops are an issue across many of Melbourne’s retail strips and shopping centres. When a shop is vacated it often becomes a target and it doesn’t take long for it to fall victim to vandals.

The Association engaged Melbourne based small business, Thriving Places, which specialises in eliminating vacant shops from retail strips and shopping centres.

“I applaud the Association’s efforts to beautify empty shop fronts, it makes sense and will hopefully attract more business to the area,” said Mayor of Merri-bek City Council Cr John Kavanagh.

The window is located at 62 Sydney Road Brunswick.

Photo: Artist Sam Marshall with Mayor of Merri-bek City Council, Cr John Kavanagh

23 July 2018