A new mosaic mural in Bill Fritz Park on the Bargara foreshore celebrates the role of the Bargara Lions Club in developing the park and providing facilities for people with disabilities.
The mural was conceived and designed by acclaimed mosaic artist Paul Perry, and created by Paul with the help of 40 volunteers contributing over 300 hours of work.
Paul said the design highlights the Lions Club’s special connection to the reserve, which the club developed and maintained for 20 years.
“It’s just wonderful to be able to acknowledge their involvement and their particular focus back in the time when it wasn’t, especially common to actually focus on providing facilities for people with disabilities,” Paul said.
“That’s why this mural has both the Lions Club and the disability mobility symbol so prominent.”
The mural depicts the symbols set in a field of sunflowers, which Paul said was a reference to those grown along Bargara Road.
“The thing that I discovered as I went through this process of course, is the importance of sunflowers as a symbol of hidden disabilities,” he said.
“This is a really great way to bring that to the fore and to honour them and to raise awareness.
“The background being all the sunflowers, it’s really about singing joy, bringing a sense of colour and movement to this area.”
To complete the large artwork, Paul conducted 15 workshops with volunteers from a range of backgrounds from experienced mosaicists to first time participants.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for people to be participants, to enjoy it and to see the outcome of their work,” Paul said.
“I think there are so many elements in there when you look at it that show, interesting, artistic but also community based storytelling that I think is great.”
The artwork was installed on the park’s toilet block as part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Public Art Masterplan.
Council’s Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said the new mural was a welcome addition to the Public Art Collection.
“The Public Art Masterplan was put in place to encourage and support the development of local artists,” Cr Learmonth said.
“It’s wonderful to see this beautiful mosaic installed and being enjoyed by the community and visitors to the Bargara foreshore.”
Community is invited to celebrate the new mosaic and meet the artist at Bill Fritz Park, Esplanade, Bargara on Saturday 7 December at 11 am.
All welcome, no booking required.
