Art is good for the economy

Artist-in-residence Clancy Scanlan says art is good for the local Docklands economy.

Mr Scanlan, 24, spent a day creating art at The District shopping centre (formerly Harbour Town) on February 6.

“The art precinct seems great! If Docklands keeps at it, beautifying a part of town that no one wants to move to, maybe people will want to move there,” he said.

“The value that artists bring to a community’s economy is invaluable. It’s just that the artists never get a chance to see any of that money!”

Mr Scanlan was artist-in-residence at Dodgy Paper, one of The District’s arts precinct participants run by Roger Wilkie.

Mr Wilkie makes and sells recycled paper on the premises. A recent batch of paper was made entirely from nearby car park tickets. He said paper could be made from any number of materials, including plants and clothing.

He has had 25 artists-in-residence since establishing the Docklands shop front last December.

“I love seeing people making art with the paper I make,” he said.