A GIANT mural painted by students of Galvin Park Secondary School has been turning heads in Wyndham.

Painted on a brick wall near the school, the project has been funded by the Wyndham City Council’s graffiti management department.

Its message is that kids don’t have to disfigure public property with unsightly graffiti – they can do beautiful art instead at approved sites that will be appreciated by the community.

Galvin Park school nurse Dave Moar said the mural’s logo, Art Is Art, was a way of saying everyone should have a look at all different types of art.

“The students have learnt to design and, while still using aerosol cans and paint, can produce a scenic artwork that’s seen in a different light to graffiti,” he said.

“The kids are really proud of what they’ve done.

“Lots of local people have been coming down to take a look and they really like it.”

The mural, 16m long by 3m deep, has been completed under the direction of Melbourne artist AJ Tan.

The four students who painted the work are Jed Pengelly, Anthony Patterson, Brett Logan and Matthew Hepburn, all aged 16.

The theme of the painting depicts the Wyndham community and youth.

The scenes include rhinoceros and meerkats, which are found at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, and teenagers skateboarding.

“The students have incorporated doing the mural with their subjects because they are studying art and community studies,” Mr Moar said. “They are learning skills such as how to design and paint well on such a big area, and the project gets them involved in the community.

“And they’re having fun doing it.”

The mural involved discussions over several weeks about the design and methods to be used, then three-and-half days to paint.

The council has coated the mural with an anti-graffiti, clear, waterproof varnish to protect it.

“This mural is not graffiti, it’s proper art,” Mr Moar said.