The Big Picnic

‘The Big Picnic’ was a community based event created with funding left over from a security initiative in Market Square, the main park in Grafton, NSW Australia. The idea was to counter any stigma with the installation of security cameras throughout the park with a fun and friendly gathering, promoting inclusion and positive use of the park.

I was contracted to create the marketing poster for the event, and then to carry on those themes and colours in a giant interactive ‘Instagram Frame’ to be used on the day.

I decided to engage community further by painting the frame over several afternoons in the park, chatting to local users and kids and letting whoever wanted to be a part of the frame to be able to join in and feel a part of the event. I brought blank art books and pens each afternoon and let the kids draw free, and let them each choose a design that we transferred on to the frame.

I pulled several of the characters and themes from the poster and frame and shaped large pieces of ply as stands or hanging elements around the park. These were a bright addition and helped carry the event through as a whole, giving it an almost festival-like feel. People enjoyed interacting with both the instagram frame and the cutouts, and I have been contacted by the same organisation that ran this event to work on future events.