Penrith Council’s Magnetic Places projects bring local residents together in new ways to transform how people see and feel about the places where they live.

During 2020 Council reimagined the annual Magnetic Places Grants program to support innovative alternatives to in-person participation during these changing times of social distancing.

Fusion Western Sydney has engaged with two Magnetic Places Grants over the last twelve months, Faces of St Marys and Postcards From Home, which focus on building resilient and inclusive communities.

POSTCARDS FROM HOME invited local residents, students, business owners or those just passing through St Marys, Penrith or surrounds to share their experience of lockdown and social distancing on a postcard which was then shared through a virtual network.

Kathleen Travers, a former student from St Marys Senior High School and emerging artist and designer shares her experience of the project:

“When approached by Fusion to design this project I was delighted at the opportunity to collaborate on a community-based artwork. I had recently been made redundant from my job and was feeling the social distance from others as I began to freelance full time. I was so excited to be part of this creative idea to help build connection right now.   During restrictions, the post or mail can go where we cannot.  I also hope the archive becomes a platform to honour our community’s experience through this time, whatever it may be.” Kathleen Travers

Check out @PostcardsFromHomeArchive on Instagram and postcardsfromhomearchive.com to read what was shared and how your community has been going.