Bland cabinets across Ashburton have again been turned into lively artworks by talented artists thanks to a continued partnership between Chorus and Ashburton District Council.

Mayor Neil Brown says the cabinet art programme is a great initiative that really celebrates the local area.

“These works are a fabulous celebration of the pride, vibrancy and colour of our district. You can’t help but think it’s great to be in Ashburton when you see them.”

Over the past year the programme has created five new pieces of public art from four talented artists. Work is under way to select the cabinets for the next round in July.

Two of the new painted boxes reflect on the district’s sporting links. In Agnes Street, artist Charlotte Riley celebrates Mid Canterbury Rugby and on Robinson Street she honours the district’s mountain biking.

“It isn’t just about the sport – it’s about celebrating the hard work of the volunteers who build the trails, and the grass roots pride in seeing a try being scored by the green and gold of Mid Canterbury,” she says.

Chloe Jamieson’s work on the corner of Memorial and Cameron in Methven is buzzing – it’s that great Kiwi icon the Buzzy Bee.

According to Chloe, Buzzy Bee is one of those quintessentially Kiwi things. “Somehow it brings us all together and makes us smile.”

In Ashburton’s William Street there is a celebration of nature, with a combination of wildflowers, a butterfly and a crescent moon. “Nature and infrastructure aren’t an obvious mix, but it’s great when we can combine the two,” says the artist behind the creation Amalia Worsfold.

In Beach Road there is an alternative take on nature – with a scene of flower people. Charlotte Syme, the artist, says it’s simply a fun piece “with flower people of different shapes and sizes having fun and wearing clothes that are as colourful as the flowers”.

Chorus Community Relations Manager Jo Seddon says the Chorus cabinet art programme started as an experiment to stop graffiti in 2010 but has been phenomenally successful.

“It’s resulted in hundreds of cabinets across the country becoming bright artworks, which are now rarely affected by graffiti. Added to that, the programme has helped some talented artists further their careers.

“We are particularly pleased with the work this year in Ashburton.”

Cabinets for the next round are being selected and artists can keep an eye on the Chorus website for when submissions open, usually around 1 July.