Niverville’s local Communities in Bloom committee is in full swing now that spring has arrived. As in previous years, their annual tree-planting initiative is underway. But there’s also a new, eye-catching endeavour: the Community Tile Mosaic Project.
Tile Mural for Hespeler Park
Registration is now open for Niverville residents to purchase a tile and decorate it at one of two planned painting sessions at the CRRC on June 1 and June 4. Additional painting sessions will be added to complete the project as more tiles are sold.
The Community Tile Mosaic Project will result in a mural composed of six-inch by six-inch tiles covering the south wall of the picnic shelter in Hespeler Park. The final look of the mosaic is not yet determined, as organizers are waiting to see how the designs come together based on how they’re decorated by residents. The goal is to have more than 700 tiles to work with.
Communities in Bloom volunteer chair Shirley Hoult invites all residents to get involved and leave a family legacy in the community.
“It is intended to celebrate Niverville, so residents can decorate their tile however they like,” says Hoult. “You don’t have to be an artist. Your tile can contain features that are meaningful and special to the individual or family creating the tile.”
Approximately 150 of the available tiles have been spoken for, so there is plenty of opportunity for more residents to get involved.
“Come help out this lonely tile!” says Hoult, who would love to see residents get excited about the unique idea.
The idea for a mosaic came about when volunteers noticed that the space at the picnic shelter seemed drab. For Hoult, creating opportunities for community connection is always a prime motivation for the work she does with Communities in Bloom, creating gardens, art installations, or other meaningful spaces within town.
“The purpose is to create a celebration of the community, and bring everyone together, to provide a work of art that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors, and that will beautify the community,” says Hoult.
She adds that it’s just as much about meeting new people and connecting with one’s neighbours as it is about creating a beautiful design for the park.
“Come on out, meet your neighbours, meet people! So many people visit the park and come through here for various purposes. It would be wonderful for them to see what we’re all about as a community and give this space some flare.”
A variety of paint colours has been selected based on how vibrantly they appear on the ceramic surface after the tile is fired in a kiln. Hoult stresses that any design is acceptable—“as long as it’s for public consumption.”
The Niverville Middle School High School art program is getting involved by giving students the opportunity to fire the tiles using the school’s pottery kiln. The cost of one tile is set at $10, which covers the materials and installation.
“We have a low budget,” Hoult says. “The high school is firing them for us with art teacher Tony Clark. Ten dollars covers the tile, installation, cement, paint, glaze, and firing.”
One-hour glazing sessions are available on June 1 or June 4 and registration for these two sessions should be done prior to Sunday, May 26, so adequate supplies are available. Children must be accompanied by an adult for these sessions. Residents should watch for more added sessions. Group registration will be facilitated upon request.
“The daycare is doing some and we are doing a special session with them to do that,” Hoult says. “And possibly we will do a group with the life lease residents in town. We will work with what groups need, but we also see the benefit of mixing it up. Just book your spot and come on out to enjoy being a part of a community. We can accommodate more social groups. We just want people to sign up!”
Hoult says they aren’t accepting private donations at this time for the project. She explains that it’s the participation of a mix of people in the community who make the various projects happen and the volunteer organization appreciates the many levels of support they receive.
“Communities in Bloom enjoys working with [town] council. We work with them. Council does the big stuff, we do the little stuff, and together it creates the culture for the community.”
Registration for decorating a tile for the Community Tile Mosaic Project is available through the Niverville Recreation website under “Workshops.” Any questions can be directed via email to nivervillecommunitiesinbloom@gmail.com.
Tree-Planting
TC Energy is once again sponsoring the Niverville Communities in Bloom tree-planting initiative. The 60 new trees were installed on Saturday, May 25.
Residents contacted to participate in the tree-planting were able to opt in at no personal cost, provided they accepted responsibility for caring for the tree. A variety of hackberry, elm, ming cherry and spring snowcrab trees have been planted along Claremont Drive and Errington Place.
