Placemaking is a fine art at beautiful Coolum

Four bright, beautiful – and practical – proposals from local artists for a public art project in the Coolum Village Precinct will soon go on display at the Coolum Library and Coolum Surf Lifesaving Club.

Division 9 Councillor Vivien Griffin said the public artwork will be an important element of the Coolum Village Centre Urban Design Master Plan for the village centre and adjacent foreshore.

“The four finalists were gleaned from 15 strong submissions received in response to council’s call for expressions of interest in undertaking a public art project beside the surf club,” Cr Griffin said.

“Coolum has a long history of talented artists who have chosen to live here in response to the great natural beauty of the area.”

The proposals detail the design and fabrication of public art in the area defined by the southern wall of the surf club and the pathway to the beach. They will go on display for two weeks from Friday 29 January.

“This initiative is very much a partnership between Council and the Coolum Surf Club. The location invites an innovative connection between the boardwalk and the new streetscape to the north.

“We are looking for a project that engages the imagination of the community, that integrates with the overall design features of the site, and which improves the amenity of the area,’’ Cr Griffin said.

Stage One of this project called for the expressions of interest from artists and established the final four for consideration. Stage Two will see the proposals from the short-listed artists go on display before council announces which one has been selected to undertake the project.

The short-listed artists/artist teams are:

• the niche a + d – Glen Manning and Kathy Daly
• Eckart Schillings, Dragi Majstorovic and Tania Kunze
• Liquid Glass Gallery – Lucas Salton and
• Artventure – Paul Johnson and Gail Mason

Cr Griffin said the aim of the project is to create a public artwork that is visually stimulating, imaginative and engaging.

“It should also improve the overall amenity and presentation of the area and encourage visitors to explore and enjoy the precinct.”

Construction of the art project is due prior to Easter 2010.

For more information on the Coolum Village Centre Urban Design Master visit council’s website, www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, click on About Council and follow the links to Recent Community Engagement