Ballina Public Art – A Place to Create

Created in 2023, A Place to Create, A Place to Share, A Place that Matters is a striking flood recovery mural by local artist Gala Jane, inspired by the resilience and spirit of the Northern Rivers community.

Developed through community consultation and recovery workshops, the mural captures the three key elements that emerged from those conversations — Safe Space, Community, and Sharing. The thoughtful colour palette symbolises Ballina’s identity and connection to place:

Orange monochrome – representing the famous Big Prawn

Blue monochrome – representing where the sea and sky meet

Orange and blue together – representing the meeting of place, culture, arts, and people

This powerful mural stands as a testament to creativity and connection in the face of adversity, reflecting the ongoing journey of healing and renewal after the 2022 floods.

Gala Jane is a Northern Rivers mixed-media artist whose work uses text, textiles, and found objects to explore women’s safety, mental health, and community resilience. A graduate of Southern Cross University, her murals and installations appear throughout the region. After losing her studio and artworks in the 2022 Lismore floods, Gala’s practice now deeply examines trauma, recovery, and hope through art.