Cittaslow Goolwa Friendship Seat
The Cittaslow Goolwa Friendship Seat was launched by Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes on Thursday 26th of September.
Members of Cittaslow Goolwa including Vanessa Mulhall, Debbie Smith and Karen Ross, having seen mosaic friendship seats in other areas, realised that Goolwa would be an ideal location for such a seat given the sense of community and focus on art in the town. Cittaslow principles, which focus on supporting the local community and residents taking the time to enjoy what we have in Goolwa, seemed to fit perfectly with the idea. The location of the seat, adjacent to Cittaslow Corner, the beautiful rose garden and the other attractive surrounding features also fitted well.
The construction of the Friendship Seat was supported financially by the Alexandrina Council and the Goolwa Lions. In keeping with the local emphasis, local artists Barbary O'Brien and Mike Tye designed the seat and co-ordinated its construction. This involved; many local volunteers, Beaumont Tiles who provided the tiles for the project and Alexandrina Council workers who contributed their time and expertise.
The Cittaslow Goolwa Friendship Seat in its construction generated opportunities for the local community to contribute to creating a public work of art that they can interact with and feel a sense of ownership of. In addition, this ultimately reinforces the growing sense that this part of Goolwa is the creative heart of its cultural precinct – with its galleries, major public art works, and gardens including the indigenous plantings at Jekejere Park.
The Seat will benefit the community in two ways. Firstly as a marvellous colourful piece of art that features highlights of the Goolwa area in a striking artistic way and secondly, as the name suggests, a seat that can be used for friends to sit, relax and chat on while taking in the passing parade.