A BIG thumbs up has been given to an exciting new proposal to create a community mosaic in the centre of Tavistock.
The idea has been put forward by the Integrated Arts Group, which is based at the Molly Owen Centre.
The group wants to produce a mosaic based on a street map of Tavistock, incorporating features of interest and distinctiveness.
The mosaic would measure around six feet by three feet, providing a striking and colourful focus in the town centre.
Sally Christopher, manager of the group, said members of the Integrated Arts Group would be working with local mosaic artist and workshop leader Emma Spring, who had already produced ?fantastic? results with schools and organisations in the West Country.
She said: ?I think it could be great, it will be a real celebration of the identity of Tavistock.?
She also hoped to involve a variety of sections from the community in the project, who will work collaboratively with members of the art group.
?I?d really like to get a cross-section of people involved in it. There may be A-level students at the college who?d like to join in, or perhaps older residents, maybe from somewhere like Harewood House, who would have their own particular ideas about Tavistock,? said Sally.
The idea is to place the finished mosaic on the outside wall of the town council-owned pannier market, on the angled section that faces the tourist information centre and Duke?s Café.
?It?s a prominent position, so it would be great regarding tourists,? said Sally.
Members of the council?s properties committee greeted the idea with enthusiasm at their recent meeting.
Cllr Iain Andrews said: ?This group did some brilliant work with the canal bicentenary celebrations and they?ve also had a wonderful display within the library lobby ? I am sure it would be a wonderful addition to the pannier market.?
And chairman of the committee Cllr Caroline Keane said she fully supported the proposal.
?I think the placement of the mosaic there would be perfect,? she said.
The decision to back the mosaic scheme is due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on January 6. The project is likely to begin in the spring.
The Integrated Arts Group is involved in a variety of arts projects aimed at integrating adults with learning difficulties and special needs more fully into the community.
It is hoped the work will enhance the environment and heighten public awareness of their involvement and capability within the arts.
The group has also just launched a community scrapstore project, designed to provide individuals and groups with a ready supply of recycled materials which can be used for creative arts.
The scrapstore is on the lookout for the type of materials which are in plentiful supply at Christmas, such as colourful sweet wrappers, silver paper, fruit nets, bubble-wrap, discarded Christmas decorations ? anything clean which can be used for artwork.
Anyone who would like information about the scrapstore or who would like to get involved with the mosaic project can call Sally Christopher on 01822 612981.Jane Honey