RSL Memorial Building Mural

RSL Memorial Building Mural – Artist Opportunity

The District Council of Elliston is inviting professional practising South Australian artists and artist teams to submit proposals for an exciting new public art opportunity at the RSL Memorial Building, 34 Beach Terrace, Elliston.

Council is proposing to commission a permanent, site-specific mural across one or more external wall areas of the building. The project will recognise the building’s important dual history as both an RSL Memorial Building and former kindergarten, while creating a high-quality new addition to Elliston’s established collection of public murals.

About the project

The RSL Memorial Building holds a special place in Elliston’s community history.

Its memorial identity connects the building with service, sacrifice, remembrance and the experiences of local people during and after periods of war and military service. The building was also formerly used as a kindergarten and is remembered by generations of local children, families and educators as a place of learning, care, play and belonging. RSL Memorial Building Artist Br…

Council is seeking a mural concept that thoughtfully brings these histories together while reflecting the building, the Elliston district and locally verified stories.

The new artwork will also complement Elliston’s existing large-scale murals, which tell locally grounded stories about the district’s people, farming, fishing and coastal environment. The successful artist is not expected to copy the style or imagery of existing murals; instead, the artwork should contribute its own original identity and sense of place.

What Council is looking for

The desired artwork should be thoughtful, memorable and distinctly connected to Elliston.

Concepts should meaningfully recognise:

• the building’s RSL, memorial and military service history;
• its former use as a kindergarten and its importance to former pupils, families and educators;
• the significance of the building to the wider Elliston community;
• themes such as remembrance, resilience, peace, return and connection between generations; and
• Elliston’s wider public-art and township mural story.

The final artwork must be suitable for a broad public audience and respectfully handle the relationship between remembrance and the building’s kindergarten history. Specific historical material must be accurate and appropriately verified.

Who can submit?

The lead artist must be a professional practising South Australian artist who meets the applicable CreateSA eligibility requirements.

Artist teams are also welcome, provided the lead artist and responsibilities of each team member are clearly identified.

Artists should be able to demonstrate relevant professional practice and experience in murals or comparable public art projects, together with the capacity to undertake a regional project and deliver work suitable for Elliston’s exposed coastal environment.

What do I need to submit?

Council is not seeking a fully resolved final mural design at this stage.

The preliminary submission is intended to provide enough information for Council to select a preferred artist and support its proposed CreateSA funding application.

Submissions should include:

• a concept statement of up to 500 words;
• one or two preliminary colour sketches, annotated drawings, digital mock-ups or a concise mood board;
• an outline of the proposed approach to local research, stakeholder engagement and design development;
• an itemised quotation;
• a realistic project program;
• a short biography or relevant CV;
• examples of recent relevant work;
• two relevant referees and required licence and insurance information;
• a short maintenance and durability statement; and
• a preliminary project risk statement.

Artists may propose a strong treatment for one available wall area or a coordinated treatment across multiple available wall areas, subject to the project requirements and budget.

How proposals will be assessed

Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:

Artist opportunity opens: Monday, 28 September 2026
Questions close: 5.00pm (ACDT), Friday, 16 October 2026
Submissions close: 12.00 noon (ACDT), Friday, 6 November 2026
Preferred artist anticipated: 24 November 2026

The commission is proposed to support Council’s application to the CreateSA – Projects: Public Art and Design program. Appointment of a preferred artist and commencement of the project will remain subject to funding, Council approval, due diligence and execution of a written contract.

If funding is successful, research and detailed design development are anticipated between May and July 2027, with installation targeted for August to December 2027, subject to weather and required approvals.

Artist Brief and supporting information

Artists are strongly encouraged to read the complete project documentation before preparing a submission.

Download:

• RSL Memorial Building Mural - Artist Brief
• RSL Memorial Building Mural - Request for Quotation

The Artist Brief includes photographs of the available external wall areas, building plans, creative requirements, submission requirements and further information about the commissioning process.

Questions and submissions

All enquiries, optional site inspection requests and submissions should be directed to the District Council of Elliston through the contact details provided in the Request for Quotation.

Artists should not approach individual Elected Members, stakeholder representatives or building users regarding the procurement unless the contact has been arranged by Council.

District Council of Elliston
21 Beach Terrace, Elliston SA 5670
Phone: (08) 8687 9177
Email: dce@elliston.sa.gov.au

Submissions close at 12.00 noon (ACDT), Friday, 6 November 2026