Artbox is a City of Gold Coast initiative that aims to deter graffiti vandalism by painting traffic signal boxes with bright, artistic designs, which also improves the visual façade and appeal of our streets. Every year, local artists are invited to submit their creative ideas and artworks for the opportunity to be featured throughout the region.

Original artworks by AW’s Emma Van Zaane and Laura Strange add new energy and vibrant sights to the streets of Mudgeeraba, Nerang and Robina, respectively.

We love how City of Gold Coast supports local creatives with professional opportunities to transform the city in unexpected ways. Artwork can help to reduce the attractiveness of the traffic signal boxes to vandals. Since the first ArtBox project in 2008 graffiti on traffic signal boxes has been reduced by 80%!

Emma Van Zaane

“The artwork is a look into the incredible Australian natives that dwell in and around our homes and workplaces. Inspiration for this expression came from noticing the leaves littering the ground, in various states of life and decay.

The illustrated leaves are inspired by the species that have been a part of my life and grown beside my home here on the Gold Coast.”

— Emma Van Zaane, featured Artbox artist

“One of the many decisions Gold Coast residents unite on is the practice of a healthy lifestyle.

Many colours and forms of sneakers are seen on our streets and pathways. Now, especially in and after times of isolation, we are being forced to look at how we interact with our new restrictions. In doing so we are finding new possibilities and new beauty in the places we took for granted, lacing up our sneakers and taking to the beautiful outside.”

— Emma Van Zaane, featured Artbox artist

Laura Strange

“The design is inspired by the fun and frivolous side of the Gold Coast – a side of our city’s personality we often side-step while aiming to position ourselves as the global city we are fast becoming. As we grow as a city, I believe it is important to pay homage to where we’ve been – a beachside town to where people could escape life’s hustle and bustle, play, and just ‘be’.

Through the candy colour palette and retro geometric pattering, I hope this design captures a little slice of the Gold Coast’s fun and fabulous side.”

— Laura Strange, featured Artbox artist