Gunnedah's Rainbow Serpent water feature shortlisted for 2020 Australian Street Art Awards

The 9.2 metre Gunnedah Rainbow Serpent water feature in The Civic Centre's forecourt has been named as a finalist in the 2020 Australian Street Art Awards, for the Best Rural Art category.

A group of local Kamilaroi female artists are behind the project, which was permanently installed last year and features bright and colourful glass mosaics, brass and coloured glass and oxidised concrete.

Artists including Shirley Long, Janet Wanless, L. Delma Jones, L. Ellen Draper, Gloria Foley, June Cox, Alison Cox, Rita Long and Cindy Foley persisted for almost 20 years to bring the serpent to life.

The sculpture will be up against some of the best public art projects in rural Australia, with the street art awards recognising regions and precincts that are using one or more of the many forms of outdoor, publicly-accessible art to promote their destination and engage the community.

The artwork left judges impressed, who described it as "a wonderful example of the strong Indigenous community and women inspiring the next generations, while sharing their culture with tourists and the rest of the community".

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It's not the first time water feature has received recognition. It was also named the recipient of the 2020 Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture NSW Local Government Award.

Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said Council is honoured to be recognised for this cultural initiative, and acknowledged the efforts of local Kamilaroi artists.

"This sculpture celebrates and preserves the culture, history and experiences of these strong and determined women," she said.

The winners in all eight Australian Street Art Awards categories will be announced on Tuesday, March 2 on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.