Coonalpyn Silos

In February 2017, internationally renowned street artist Guido van Helten arrived in Coonalpyn and was welcomed with a community barbecue, an introduction that soon made him feel like a local.

Over the next six weeks, Guido immersed himself in the town, meeting residents and photographing everyday life before choosing a theme that would capture the heart of the community.

He selected five children from Coonalpyn Primary School (now closed) to feature on the Viterra grain silos, symbolising the town’s hope for the future. Using a 35‑metre cherry picker, more than 200 cans of spray paint and layers of hand‑painted detail, Guido created a breathtaking 30‑metre mural that transformed the still‑operational grain silos into a major regional landmark.

Meet the silo kids:
At the time the silo project began Ciara (9), Blake (6), Reef (5), Kiarah (6) and Macey (5).

Completed in 2017, the Viterra Coonalpyn Silos became South Australia’s first silo art project, marking the beginning of what is now a celebrated statewide and national silo art movement. The mural was the flagship project of Coorong District Council’s arts‑led renewal initiative, Creating Coonalpyn, which helped revitalise the town and attract visitors from around Australia.