Nowra East Public School is boasting a beautiful new mural thanks to Kiama-based artist Sam Hall.
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The mural came as a suggestion by the school's student representative council and will be the outgoing year 6 students' gift to the school.
The students provided suggestions for the subject matter of the painting and it was settled on the black cockatoo, being the symbol of Nowra and gum leaves and gum nuts, of which there are plenty around the school.
"It was a good plan and the kids continued to have input throughout the project," Mr Hall said.
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"The kids have enjoyed watching the progress of the mural. They have been here watching from start to finish. Asking questions, giving suggestions. It was good to have them involved.
"I like to be able to use subjects that are relatable to kids. And animals certainly do that but not all my works are animals."
The mural only took a couple of days to complete.
While the background to the mural is panted with a paintbrush and roller, his artwork is all from spray cans.
At 27, Hall is quickly building up a catalogue of work, having completed more than 40 murals at various other schools and communities.
He will be undertaking more work at Nowra East Public in coming months and has completed works in Kiama, across the Illawarra at Albion Park, Jamberoo, in the Highlands at Moss Vale, Bowral, Exeter and Thirlmere to name a few.
"I've done heaps around the local area," he said.
He's also worked further afield like Bondi, has more works commissioned in Sydney and this week is due to head west to Griffith.
An extremely talented graphic designer and artist, Sam has also produced illustrations for several children's books and clothing designs.
And he's also recently been involved in a "secret gig" of painting a four-metre dragon.
NEPS' student Dylan Stewart said the mural was "deadly".
"It's great, I like the idea of the cockatoo, especially in the same year the South Coast Black Cockatoos won the annual Koori Knockout," he said.
Fellow student Raymond said it was "outstanding".
"It's engaging, I really like it," he said.
School captain Savanna O'Brien said it was "amazing".
"It adds colour to our school and represents our area and the nature of the area," she said.
"It's very appropriate."