In late 2025 Norah Anne Wells was commissioned by BooksPlus Bathurst to design and paint a children’s mural for their newly re-opened store. After much planning and drafting, Norah collaborated with local Aboriginal artist Faith Ryder to create a piece blending cultures.

The concept of this mural was a call to honour the historical solidarity between Irish & Aboriginal people, and to act as a safe place for children to learn about and be inspired by Aboriginal culture in hopes to heal and break-down stigmas the culture often faces.

Norah is particularly inspired to use her voice as an artist to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal women. She notes that due to proximity to their culture and communities they have played a large role in both her personal life and artistic career, particularly around reconnecting to her own ancestry and culture.

Throughout Norah’s Celtic ancestry oak trees are revered as highly sacred and intelligent, and often times seen as the centre of culture and spirituality. The tree branches are also donned with blue spiral work as a celebration of her Scottish Highlander heritage.

Under permissions of Matriarch Aunty Gloria Rodgers, she commissioned Faith Ryder to paint an interpretation of the story of The Seven Sisters, one of the oldest and most universal creation stories in the world. Faith created an immersive galaxy for children to sit inside and interact with.

Norah approached Aunty Gloria and Aunty Michelle Graves from the Central West Women’s Health Centre to place handprints on the trunk of the tree. This is intended to honour the impact these women have had on her journey and the incredible work they have done in the community. Handprints in both Celtic & Aboriginal culture are related to place and belonging, creating timestamps to remember that we are all the future ancestors of Earth.

This mural was completed and unveiled in March of 2026.

Shortly after the completion of the BooksPlus mural, Norah was approached by the Central West Womens Health Centre to donate a mural as part of the renovations for their children’s cubby house. This cubby house is part of the play area where children whom participate in therapy or who’s mothers use the resources through the centre play.

The concept of this mural was to honour Mother Earth and women’s lore of indigenous cultures. How women are sacred and deserve to be safe in order to take care of themselves and their children.

Completed in June 2026