Alta-1 College public art project has an important message for the community on acceptance

These shoes all have different stories to tell with patterns created by their designers.

Some are bright and colourful, others with shades of grey — they are all unique but they share the same message.

The Walk a Mile in My Shoes project by students at Alta-1 College aims to encourage the community to try to understand people before criticising them.

The shoes have been used as a blank canvas to open up conversations about differences.

A window at the Red Cross op shop on Lockyer Avenue will display the artwork to get the message out to the wider community.

Art teacher Serenea McLauchlan said the students were introduced to the project with street art ideas and asked to design their own shoes.

“The collaboration and window display is a chance for the students to design and install a real artwork, which fosters self-esteem, confidence and pride in their work,” she said.

“It improves student’s mental health by engaging in the arts. It is a safe place to explore creative ideas and express emotions freely.”

Ms McLauchlan said she hoped the community would take a moment to think about the stories people have to tell from different walks of life.