By ALYSON LAMB
After a landslip left Falls Creek cut off for seven months, the alpine village has found colour in recovery, with a new mural series celebrating endangered local wildlife, community connection, and the young students who helped bring it to life.
The Wildlife Quest mural project has transformed parts of Falls Creek into an open-air gallery, with Mount Beauty artist Elise Marcianti painting a series of murals across the resort village.
Part of Falls Creek’s recovery program following the 2022 Bogong High Plains Road landslip, the mural project brought together Falls Creek Primary School, Falls Creek Alpine Resort’s environmental team, and Ms Marcianti in a creative response to a difficult chapter for the community.
Falls Creek Primary School students helped shape the project after taking part in an environmental workshop, choosing their favourite endangered animals to feature in the village artworks.
Ms Marcianti then brought the wildlife to life across the resort, using colour and alpine detail to give each mural its own character.
Her series includes a broad-toothed rat on Falls Creek Road in front of the Australian Alpine Club, a dingo at Albury Ski Club, gang-gang cockatoos at Falls Creek Primary School, alpine tree frogs on Parallel Street near Carey Lodge, and a platypus on the side of the accommodation transfer terminal.
Ms Marcianti also painted a Burramys Mountain Pygmy Possum at the Gateway Hub, marking the end of the new Burramys mountain bike trail.
The alpine landscape helped shape the look and feel of the works, from the soft colour palette to the snow gum leaves woven through the murals.
“The colours have been inspired by the alpine glow and mountain sunsets of soft pinks and oranges, my favourite thing to see knowing that another incredible day has come to a close,” she said.
“I also incorporated snow gum leaves, which for me is a sign of being in the Australian alpine, and a feeling of being at home.”
The project also carried extra meaning because of Ms Marcianti’s own connection to the alpine community.
“I often pinch myself that I get to highline, climb and run in the mountains here and get to leave a mark with my murals,” she said.
“I first came to the area during a snow season and managed to secure work and accommodation so I could stay while the lockdowns hit.
“I had never spent time at Falls before, but after falling in love with the alpine area, the community and the contagious attitude of the people, I knew I’d never be leaving.”
That sense of belonging sits at the heart of how she sees public art in Falls Creek.
“Art can make a place feel alive,” Ms Marcianti said.
“The mountains are unique.
“For so many it feels like a sense of home, a sense of belonging, and art can deepen the connection we already have for this place.”
Visitors can explore the Wildlife Quest murals throughout Falls Creek village this winter.
You can also learn more about Ms Marcianti’s work at elisemarcianti.com.