Modern street art, designed by aspiring local artists, will be permanently painted onto the city’s footpaths to help celebrate Bathurst’s bicentenary.

“Bathsy” is inspired by the stencil art of mysterious British artist Banksy, known for his clever paste-ups, stencil and sprayed works, often with a political bent.

Five stencil locations in the Bathurst CBD, each about one metre square, have been chosen. Each represents the period from 1815 to the 1830s, including the gallows where the infamous Ribbon Gang was hanged, the original convict barracks in Keppel Street and the end point of Cox’s Road.

Arts OutWest communications officer Maryanne Jaques said there would be three locations in Kings Parade as, despite much research, the exact location of the gallows was not known.

“Cox’s Road ended outside where Jack Holman’s Menswear is located,” Ms Jaques said. “Martha Gelin, who owns the building, is organising to have a plaque placed on the building.”

The locations of these historical events and buildings have been identified by Bathurst historian Dr Robin McLachlan, the instigator of the project.

The stencils will be part of the early settlement heritage trail A Delightful Place, beginning at the Macquarie River.

Bathurst Arts Council and Bathurst Regional Art Gallery will run a stencil art workshop at the gallery on Saturday.

There is a $250 prize on offer for each chosen stencil design, with five designs to be chosen in total. Entries are now open.

The competition is open to anyone living in the Bathurst region, from high school students to professional artists.

Entries close on December 19 and the chosen designs will be installed in early 2015.

The Bathsy200.com website has all the details, including the history, workshop details and entry form, or email bathsy@bathurstartscouncil.org.au.