In 2015 four artists from Adelaide and Clayton Bay spent a week in the regional South Australian town of Burra, immersing themselves in the community, its history and its future. Returning in April 2016, each artist created a new, ephemeral artwork, installed in a trail across the town. They were joined by four local artists, Lisa Smedley, Russell Phillip, Lis Jones Ingman and Felicity Martin, who formed the group Down to Earth, creating sculptural markers connecting the artworks. Each work drew on the experiences of the artists while in residence, reflecting on their time spent in Burra. The launch culminated in Henry Jock Walker’s performance, The Expanding Paddock of Agricultural Expressionism, in which Burra residents were invited to take part in a live painting.

“At the heart of the Burra Ephemeral Art Trail is not a story of art and artists, but the story of a community, connection and relationships. While one aim of the project, was to enable artists to create interesting, challenging and engaging artworks, it has also built lasting friendships.”