A colourful new community project is set to make a splash while teaching new artistic skills.

Through a series of workshops, the Hervey Bay Community Mosaic Art Project will give community members the opportunity to learn the art of mosaic, with the end result of updating the mosaic fountain on Freshwater St, Hervey Bay.

The project will be delivered by Hervey Bay mosaic artist, Kay Distel, who is a member of MAANZ Mosaic Association. Kay will work in partnership with Paul Perry, a state representative who directed the Bargara Toilet block project.

The workshops are being run in conjunction with HBNC’s Illuminate: 100 Days of Innovation and Creativity.

The project will launch at The Neighbourhood Hive, 184 Boat Harbour Dr Pialba, on the 14th July 2023 from 5pm to 7pm. The launch will be followed by weekly workshops for six weeks, plus a special weekend youth workshop.

Kay Distel said it was a unique opportunity to learn new creative skills while exploring an interest in art.

 “Participants have to opportunity to learn the art of mosaic making: from the design stage to the installation. We hope you get the ‘bug’ to follow us through other projects,” Kay said.

Tanya Stevenson, CEO of HBNC, said the project would have an ongoing community legacy.

“This is an exciting project that will support the community and young people to be apart of restoring a community icon while also learning skills and building networks,” Tanya said.

The initial project is to repair and upgrade the decommissioned Freshwater Mosaic fountain.

This month, the Fraser Coast Regional Council will conduct structural repairs before work begins on the old and the new mosaics into this space.

The purpose of the workshops is to engage with our youth community in the design of a modern art sculptural art piece, Councillor David Lee said.

“A refresh of the decommissioned fountain with a touch of modern art will greatly improve the amenity and vibrancy of the Con Souvlis park,” Cr Lee said.

 “In addition to the seed funding from HBNC, we have attracted further funds from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to complete the project and make way for potential future developments for the community, which envisages an interesting mosaic mural to adorn part of the toilet block near Enzo’s on the Beach,” Kay said.

HBNC CEO Tanya Stevenson, Cr David Lee and Kay Distel with the iconic mosaic fountain, set to be upgraded.

Paul Perry, from Bargara is an established fine arts and mosaic artist. Known for his exceptional community art project at the toilet block, his work has helped attract tourism and lots of accolades, making the Bargara toilet block a place to visit. His recent work has included creating a Maryborough Rose Garden Mosaic.

Paul will facilitate the Mosaic introduction presentation at The Neighbourhood Hive on Friday Night July 14th. This is open to all community members.

This will be followed by the first weekend mosaic art workshop for young people at The Neighbourhood Hive. Two further workshops for adults will run weekly from late July, continuing over a six-week period.

How to get involved

Interested artists, creatives and community group members are invited to help with the design process of the fountain, and/or the implementation stages of our projects. It is an opportunity to have your say, express your expertise, and interest to enliven our foreshore and make it safe.

To book in to the workshops visit our What's On page or follow the Facebook page, Hervey Bay Community Mosaic Art Project.