'Clean Water Mosaics'- one of several pavement mosaics at Norquay Park. Vancouver, BC 2011. Photo by J. Chong. Artistic leaders, Yoko Tomita and YarOn Stern.

Clean Water Mosaics is a fresh, new set of 20 different outdoor mosaics that were created by community based outdoor art teams.  The volunteer groups were led by artists YarOn Stern and Yoko Tomita, in the Renfrew-Collingwood  neighbourhood, City of Vancouver.

This pavement art creation and permanent installation, is part of the larger revitalization project for Norquay Park which also includes reconfiguration of green space for relaxation,   new public garden plots to enjoy, a spray water play pool, sandbox and benches.

Turtle, swan and more vibrant sea life. Mosaic part of 'Clean Water Mosaics' series. Norquay Park. Vancouver, BC 2011. Photo by J. Chong

YarOn Stern noted that there were 200 volunteers from the community that were involved in some mosaic conceptual designs, laying and grouting in the mosaic  tile pieces.  The actual design and installation of the mosaics took 10 months.

Although volunteers, including children, had their own ideas for mosaic designs, the two artistic leaders had to gently steer volunteers towards  an unifying  sea life theme.  There are delightful bright crab, fish, turtles, water fowl, starfish, jellyfish and frogs embedded into the artwork. 

A fanciful jellyfish also part of 'Clean Water Mosaics' series. Norquay Park. Vancouver BC 2011. Photo by J. Chong

Check out Stern’s blog that highlights the creative process for these mosaics.  Better yet, visit the park to enjoy these mosaics. Norquay Park is located at Wales St. and Kingsway Ave.  There will be an  official opening for these mosaics and park revitalization on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 4:30 pm at Norquay Park.

For more different mosaic art highlights elsewhere in Vancouver, check out a previous blog post here.