Horsham businesswoman Allison Roberts has floated the idea of unused silos in other towns being transformed to create a regional arts network to attract visitors and boost economies.

She said she was blown away by Guido van Helten’s painting of four Brim residents on the town’s silos.

The international street artist started painting the giant mural on December 14. It took more than three weeks to complete.

“We went up there about a week ago and saw how awesome it was, and how much life it has brought into the town,” Mrs Roberts she said.

“I couldn’t believe how many people were there, and how busy the pub was.

“It is such a great concept and has brought a lot of visitors to the town.

“Why can’t they use that model for other small towns with unused silos? It would be sensational.

“The drought has made it tough for these communities, and the mural is such a positive thing, so there is definitely an opportunity there for other towns.”

Mrs Roberts emailed Regional Arts Victoria asking them to support the idea.

The group’s Small Town Transformations administrator Will McRostie said such a concept would fit government funding criteria.

“We have expressions of interest open at the moment for the Small Town Transformations program,” he said.

“There is $350,000 available for creative projects in six small towns with populations fewer than 2000 people.

“It is a state government initiative. Expressions close on February 29.

“Something like a silo arts trail would fit into the criteria.

“It is not something we would produce – an application would need to come from the community.”

Natimuk’s The Verj project received funding in the from 2012 to 2014 round.

Mr McRostie said Regional Arts Victoria also managed the Regional Arts Fund on behalf of the federal government.

“The Brim project did receive some money through this fund,” he said.

Brim’s W.G. and S.F. McPherson general store manager Chris McPherson said the silos had put Brim on the map, and a trail project could do the same for other small towns.