Project Overview

Blackbook Ink partnered with Thomas Acres Public School (TAPS) to deliver a staged, campus-wide mural program transforming key areas of the school into a cohesive visual environment grounded in Country, culture, and community identity.

Spanning multiple locations across the campus, the project integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, multicultural storytelling, and local environmental references into a unified series of artworks.

What began as a single entry mural evolved into an ongoing collaboration expanding into high-traffic student areas and forming a connected visual language across the school.

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Stage 1 — Entry Statement Mural (Main Office)

Positioned on the main office wall the first point of arrival the initial mural was designed as a welcoming statement piece reflecting the identity of the school and its connection to Dharawal Country.

The concept drew from:

• The school’s Country totem — the Lyrebird

• Native birdlife including cockatoos, magpies, and rainbow lorikeets

• Surrounding eucalyptus species across the school grounds

• Existing cultural features such as the goanna memorial garden and yarning circle with snake pathway

Integrated within an entry experience that includes sandstone landscaping and a historic Red Rattler train carriage, the mural forms part of a broader placemaking outcome anchored in both environment and story.

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Stage 2 — COLA Mural (Assembly Area)

Following the success of the entry mural, Blackbook Ink was engaged to expand the program into the school’s main assembly space beneath the Primary COLA.

This stage focused on cultural diversity and representation, reflecting the school’s strong Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, Islamic, South Asian, Australian, and New Zealand communities.

Building on the established “birds in trees” visual language, the mural incorporates culturally significant birds and flora, including:

Hall Wall:

• Philippine Eagle

• Tongan Whistler

• Sinai Rosefinch (Jordan)

• Jasmine Flower (Islamic cultural significance)

Stairwell & Circulation Areas:

• Bellbird (New Zealand)

• Frangipani & Teuila Flower (Samoa)

• Hoopoe (referenced in the Quran)

• Peacock (India)

• Iris Flower (Middle Eastern cultural significance)

The mural spans the canteen wall and surrounding stair structures activating a central gathering space used daily by students.

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Stage 3 — Additional Campus Murals

As part of the continued rollout, additional murals were delivered across the school grounds to further embed the visual identity.

These included:

• A Lyrebird mural, reinforcing connection to Country and school identity

• A Galah mural, reflecting native birdlife and the surrounding environment

These works contribute to a broader, evolving mural program across the campus.

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The Outcome

The Thomas Acres mural program has transformed the school into a visually connected, culturally reflective environment.

The impact:

• Establishes a strong and welcoming identity at key entry points

• Celebrates cultural diversity in a unified and meaningful way

• Enhances high-traffic student areas such as assembly and circulation spaces

• Strengthens connection between students, culture, and place

• Creates a cohesive visual language across multiple areas of the campus

The result is a layered, site-responsive mural program that continues to grow with the school.

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Why It Works

This project succeeds through a staged, strategic approach rather than a one-off installation.

By developing a consistent visual language and expanding it across multiple locations, Thomas Acres Public School has:

• Achieved cohesion across diverse spaces

• Embedded cultural storytelling into the built environment

• Created long-term value through scalable mural delivery

• Positioned the school as a leader in culturally responsive placemaking

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Looking to Transform Your School or Community Space?

Blackbook Ink delivers campus-wide mural programs for schools, councils, and communities creating artworks that are grounded in place, culture, and identity, while designed to evolve over time.