Two special murals which weave together Thames's history and the story of the Coromandel Peninsula have been unveiled and blessed at a special ceremony this week.

One mural was created by celebrated artist Barry Brickell, while the other was woven by a collective of artists led by Paul Silvester, and both will be housed at the Thames Civic Centre.

Two murals, one created by the renowned late artist Barry Brickell (pictured) and the other by a collective of artists led by Paul Silvester, have been unveiled at the Thames Civic Centre this week. Photo: TCDC

Both works have been blessed by the Reverend Canon Dawn Wihongi and Reverend Roy Wihongi.

Ngāti Maru kaumatua were present at the ceremony, plus members of the Thames-Coromandel District Council, the Thames Community Board, the artists who worked on the Coromandel mural, and guests.

Celebrated potter, writer, conservationist and founder of Driving Creek Railway in Coromandel Town Barry Brickell's terracotta clay mural sits at the entrance to the Civic Centre and tells a story of the land, providing a fascinating insight into the environmental impacts upon it.

While inside the centre's conference room on the western wall sites the second mural which was created by artists Paul Silvester, Kate Ellin, David Salisbury, Colleen Renata, Barby Barclay, Malcolm Sowman and Amy Cooper.

This mural depicts A History of Thames and the people who inhabited it. Nine woven panels highlight key periods and events in the area over the last thousand years. Interwoven on the panels are handcrafted items in miniature form using metal, fabric, terracotta and woodwork.

The arrival of the Tainui waka is included, as is the arrival of the HMS Endeavour, the building of the Tararu railway, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the felling of Kauri forests.

During the blessing Amy Cooper, of Ngāti Maru, wove a tiny korowai (Māori cloak) on one of the figurines of the mural, using a skill passed down from generations of women before her. Amy makes korowai using feathers of seagulls and other birds who "live on through the korowai".

The murals will now be on permanent display at the Thames Civic Centre, while an interpretive legend is being created for the mural by Paul and the artists collective.

The mural woven by the artist collective which includes Paul Silvester, Kate Ellin, David Salisbury, Colleen Renata, Barby Barclay, Malcolm Sowman and Amy Cooper. Pictured: Glen Silvester standing in for husband Paul who was unable to attend this week's ceremony. Photo: TCDC/Facebook