Heather’s connection with community applauded

Local mosaic artist Heather Fahnle has been nominated in the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards.

Heather, who runs Mosaics by the Bay, is nominated in the Connecting Communities category for her “Birds of a Heather” group exhibition held this year.

“I came up with the idea of my group ‘learning to fly’ to become artists in the very sense of the word,” Heather explained.

The exhibition featured birds that represented a significant idea in each person’s life, complete with a description of the inspiration for the bird, or their story.

“The stories were of love, of loss, of tragedy – all personal stories of my group’s lives,” she said.

Working with Phillip Island Nature Parks, Heather has also created a yarning circle, where indigenous youth designed artwork that was then created by volunteers into a fire pit.

Heather said around 30 people take part in her art group, with many using the classes to help overcome barriers of communication, fear and anxiety.

“This group comes together to create mosaic art, to help each other,” she said.

“They lift each other up and tell their stories in a safe environment.”

Other local nominees include Hannah Eisen, President of the Phillip Island Boardriders’ Club and the Cape Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club.

Winners of the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards will be announced on Friday, December 1 at a Gala Presentation Dinner.