A Dubbo Regional Council decision to get a Sydney-based artist to paint a new mural in the city has upset local artists who say their council never gave them an opportunity to put in a bid to do the work.
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"There's been no consultation," Jack Randell said.
"We're not averse to having other people come in but when the talents already exist, as a ratepayer I find it extremely disappointing."
Mr Randell said muralists, graffiti artists and other talented people in Dubbo would have appreciated the opportunity to paint the mural at the Dubbo pool.
When the Daily Liberal asked if council consulted with any local artists before Joel Moore - the artist known as Mulga - was chosen to paint the mural in collaboration with local youth, Dubbo Regional Council's liveability director Skye Price did not answer the question.
She said the mural would cost about $4,000 and council engaged Mulga because he was a renowned and nationally recognised artist.
"Mulga has a proven portfolio of success delivering commissioned large-scale murals and his artistic style, approach and design is consistent with the overall look and feel that council is seeking for the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre," Ms Price said.
"In sourcing a fit for purpose solution, council recognised not all commercial artists are equipped to deliver this level of requirement.
"The new art installation will be adjacent to the learn to swim pool...the work will depict native bird species with a contemporary twist; and there is a significant community engagement and a strong social capital element that comes with the development and installation of a mural like this."
Mr Randell, who founded a group in 2018 called Creative Assembly to help give Dubbo's creative professionals a seat at decision-making tables, said local people were often best equipped to tell local stories through art.
"I have had meetings with council staff and politicians and they are aware of Creative Assembly's desire for consultation so that should not come as any surprise to anybody," he said.
"When was the last time that council advocated for one of our mural artists to go to Sydney or Melbourne or Orange and said 'this is what we can do in Dubbo'?"
Orana Arts' executive director Alicia Leggett said her organisation was not aware of the mural project either.
"We often are asked for local artists input when the organising project's remit calls for using locally based artists," she said.
"Not all creative projects that come to the region have that 'remit' and of course as well know art is subjective and some decision makers for these projects have a particular look or feel that they are looking for that are present in creative practices outside of the local area."
