Electrolux general manager Mark O’Kane and  the Colour City Creatives have brought together 23 painters and sculptors to take part in the exhibition. Other artists can also sign up in the next two weeks to represent the spirit of the factory.

“I think the main point is we’re closing, we will cease production in May 2016, but it would be just a travesty if we just closed the gates and walked away,” Mr O’Kane said.

“The paintings are one way of capturing the spirit of the plant and ensuring the factory lives on.”

The exhibition will be held in the Skill Centre across from the factory from August 24 to 29 as part of the lead-up celebrations to the main event, a ball, on Saturday, August 29.

“We’ve booked the function centre and we’re anticipating at least 500 former employees and current employees and their partners,” Mr O’Kane said.

Colour City Creatives president Philip Salmon said participating artists recently went on a tour of the Electrolux factory for inspiration and to get an idea of what they wanted to do in their artworks.

“Some of the sculptors will use the waste materials, various copper pipe and wire, it’s going to be interesting to see what the sculptors come up with. The rest of the painters will come up with scenes from the factory,” he said.

“It’s developing, the more we talk about it the more we realise how important it is.

“There will not be a 71st anniversary because there won’t be a factory by then, so this is it, this is our chance to do something interesting.” 

Any artists that want to take part should email president@colourcitycreatives.com.

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au