Preston artist Rose Story, who lives near Bell Station, recently showed her work in an exhibition called ‘BELL’ at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
Rose, who found inspiration in the most unlikely of places, watched the Preston level crossing removal project from her window over the past two years.
She painted a number of remarkable artworks of the construction of Bell Station and the elevated rail bridge, from her apartment across the road.
As the station opened to passengers in September 2022, Rose had built up an impressive collection of works; capturing the project, the workers and a piece of Preston’s history at the same time.
Throughout the month of March, Rose has hosted an exhibition of these works at the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre, Preston’s premier arts venue, located close to Bell Station on the corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road.
The exhibition was officially launched on Thursday 23 March, where Rose was met by nearly 100 keen-eyed art fans, including engineers from the Preston project.
Rose used a number of different methodologies for her artwork including graphite on paper, oil on paper, mixed media and rumour has it, even a little bit of dirt from the construction site!
The level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston have been removed by elevating the Mernda Line over the 4 roads, and the new stations at Bell and Preston are now open.
A shared walking and cycling path from Oakover Road through to Murray Road connects locals to the new stations and open spaces which feature seating, play areas, BBQ facilities and an amphitheatre near Bell Station.
