There’s a recommendation before Thursday’s meeting that the idea should be pursued as a first priority.

It’s already asking sculptors to come up with ideas with a view to commissioning a work for the site.

The suggestion comes as the council reviews its arts policy six years after the last review.

The Director of Development, Graham Price, says in his report to the council that public art improves the atmosphere of a town and expresses a place’s culture and heritage. “The inclusion of art in public places can encourage a greater awareness and appreciation of the arts. This is particularly so if the art is accessible to the greatest number of people”. 

Mr Price says that  $151,423 is available for arts projects, a third of it in this year’s budget and the rest from unspent money from previous years.

The council has been working with Arts North West to come up with ideas.

Artists have been consulted and among the suggestions to be taken up after the work of art on the roundabout is a mural near Smeaton’s which would depict “travellers stopping to provision themselves with fresh bread at the bakery. 

“This mural would have the building facade in a life size painting with dogs, travellers and horse and buggy in near life size painted on it”.

A sculpture prize is another idea to be awarded for a “sculpture walk” – a set route with a series of sculptures – in the parks or at the Standing Stones.

Another suggestion, according to the report, is to “enliven the main street with a focus on themed banners designed and printed locally by community members to add colour and festive atmosphere throughout the year”.

There are many other ideas, including suggestions for Emmaville and Deepwater.