Sculptures and mosaics installed in Kent Street

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The artworks will link the new section of Kent Street to the Maryborough story trail which winds its way through the CBD,” Cr Daniel Sanderson said.

A mosaic at the entrance to the City Hall on the western corner of the intersection of Kent and Lennox streets was created by internationally-recognised artist Helen Bodycomb.

It is based on a story created by local writer Ian Brown about George Ambrose White a successful farmer who grew pineapples, sugarcane and oranges. He donated the funds to build the city hall to the city.

The mosaic on the eastern corner of the intersection was designed by Bundaberg artist Paul Perry.

A central component of the mosaic is a manhole cover retrieved from the street during the refurbishment works. It is surrounded by branches of Crimson Bottlebrush - Maryborough’s Floral Emblem.

“The cast-iron manhole cover was made by Cockburn and Watson foundry in Maryborough and is a link to our engineering history,” Cr Sanderson said.

Five brass sculptures made by Brisbane artist Mela Cooke are based on sketches created by local artists April Spadina and Valerie McIntosh. The pair were inspired by other stories written by Ian Brown which described the shops and hustle and bustle of the Maryborough CBD.

The Maryborough Family Heritage Association helped pinpoint the location of the shops mentioned in the stories so that the sculptures could be positioned near the buildings from which they were inspired.

The sculptures will be fixed to benches which will also feature a photograph of the building or businesses mentioned in the story written by Ian Brown.

Ms Cooke created other bronze works that feature in the trail across the CBD.

“The story trail includes sculptures, street furniture, interpretive signage, our monuments and memorials such as the Gallipoli to Armistice walk in Queens Park, the video cabinets scattered through the CBD and the Hub on Kent Street,” Cr Sanderson said. 

“Our aim is to showcase our stories and encourage visitors to stay longer by getting people on to the streets to explore and experience the city’s heritage and cultural experiences.”