If you happen to drive down Park Street in Port Macquarie, just over the bridge past Settlement City you will see a painted Essential Energy padmount box.
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The large electrical box was painted by Sam Beaver in bright red, orange and yellow colours, replicating a painting that had won him an award in 2016, according to his mum Vicki.
“Sam loves his art and was thrilled when we were given the opportunity to to paint home of these padmounts in Port Macquarie.
“He has certainly got a lot out of the project and I think is very proud of his work,” Mrs Beaver said.
Sam is currently a student at Hastings Secondary College (Westport campus) where he is in the support unit and Mrs Beaver says that his teachers are very encouraging of Sam’s art endeavours.
“Sam’s teacher Paul Apthorpe greatly encourages his students individual talents and for Sam, art is something he enjoys and is good at,” she said.
Recently Sam’s artwork titled Autumn Wonderland was the winner of the annual Challenge Community Services NSW art competition, in Tamworth, which is open to anyone with a disability or in foster care.
Sam won the 13 - 18 years category and also won the peoples choice award in 2017, but the design on the padmount is his winning entry from 2016.
Recently his artwork came to the attention of Peter Jenkins from House with no steps and the collaboration with the padmount came together.
“For us these projects are part of a community art program which gives budding artists the chance for thousands to see their work, and for Essential Energy it is part of their anti graffiti program.
“We have now collaborated with Essential Energy and council on a number of these projects and have expanded the program across the Mid North Coast but with over 500 padmounts to go, residents can expect to see more beautiful art popping up soon,” Mr Jenkins said.