Mural highlights Blackwood’s orchard history
A Fruitful Experiment
Artist: TaylrJay
Council contributed: $10,250, plus GST
Location: Blackwood Toilets, Shepherds Hill Road, Blackwood
Installed: 2025
A new mural installed at Blackwood celebrates the story of Blackwood’s former experimental fruit orchard.
‘A Fruitful Experiment’ by Adelaide Hills artist Taylor Summers, known as TaylrJay, funded by a City of Mitcham public art grant, brings a splash of colour to the public toilets at Shepherds Hill Road pedestrian crossing.
Taylor set out to capture the story of the orchard, which operated from 1908 to the 1960s at the site of what is now the Blackwood Forest Recreation Park.
“There was an orchard with lots of fruit trees, that have since been removed,” she said. “I thought it was an interesting story and I wanted to learn more about it and share it with the local community.”
Taylor’s work features a selection of fruit grown on the orchard, along with the pine plantation, native plants and manager’s office that can all be seen today.
Working on the mural, Taylor said she was overwhelmed by the level of interest and support from locals.
“It’s been awesome, it’s something I love about my job, being able to connect and meet so many people. One lady stopped to give me a Kit Kat for morning tea which was lovely, and I’ve had a few honks and waves from people driving past. People have been sharing their memories of the orchard and manager’s office too.”
Funded by a City of Mitcham Public Art Grant.
