Eighteen months of community involvement is nearing completion with the official launch of the Heart of Glen art work on the northern face of the Mackenzie building due to be officially opened by Glen Innes Severn Council on Saturday, May 13.
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Glen Innes Pottery Club successfully applied In 2015 to construct a large community artwork for council as part of its CBD upgrade. With club member support, community volunteers and local and district schools, the design, construction and installation of the work has taken approximately 1.5 years to complete.
The resulting Heart of Glen street art project is 40 metres long and features 24 multimedia panels made from ceramic mosaic laser-cut metal panels and digital photographic prints on aluminium panels.
After public consultation, work commenced on the design, followed by workshops at the local schools and at the pottery club for community volunteers to get involved.
“Deciding upon a contemporary approach, the Heart of Glen project – as the name suggests – depict themes that are reflective to our community, local history and features that make our town distinctive,” pottery club’s Nicci Parry-Jones said.
“The background wall colours represent the changing colour and the hue of our natural environment. The 24 panels were designed to convey a visual timeline and flow from our native fauna and flora; our Aboriginal cultural heritage and early colonial history; our iconic historical buildings; agriculture and industries to our contemporary community.”
Ms Parry-Jones said the club is grateful to council for showing the foresight to include public and community art in its CBD upgrade, and for recognising the important role that the arts have in creating a sense of place and wellbeing in the community.
“The public have shown enthusiastic support for the project and the new creative focal point at the centre of town,” she said.
“Comments such as ‘what a great asset to our town!’ are frequently posted on social media.
“We heartily thank all of the community volunteers, schools and council workers who made the project happen, and Photo Create for donating the photographic panels.”
Everyone is welcomed to attend council’s launch of the installation at 12 noon on May 13 at the Heart of Glen street art in Bourke Street.