By Sally Moolman

An innovative mosaic project in Sedgefield‘s informal settlements will soon brighten up the town and provide employment and skills for locals.

Born out of rejuvenation plans for the town, the project will be training people not only how to create mosaic designs for a range of applications, but will also teach them business and entrepreneurial skills.

Co-organiser Dianne Young said the project was underwritten by the Knysna municipality and would result in decorated benches on the walkway around Swartvlei Lagoon, art work at the Swartvlei River mouth and the town centre, decorated rubbish bins, wall mosaics, shop numbers, commercial names, totems, pavement mosaics, fountains and signs.

“The R300000 three-year project, for which funding from the National Arts Council and a United States NGO is anticipated, will initially train 20 candidates in Smutsville/Sizamile and provide materials to start up the project,” Young said.

Plettenberg Bay mosaic artist Margie Ford will share her skills with candidates and local community support NGO Masithandane will manage the project.

The project also provides for a prepaid course fee for people who want to learn the skill.

Once trained, the artists, with the help of mentors and project managers, will be allocated articles and places to decorate in the town according to predetermined designs by professional artists such as Ford.

Source: The Herald