With all the other attractions to see at beautiful Yea, just over an hour's drive north-east of Melbourne, a public toilet block is not something you would normally think to add to your "must see" list.
Long before Yea became a tourist destination in its own right, it was still known as a great place to stop for a "pee and a pie". In this context, it makes a little more sense that local community artists, potters and volunteers banded together to create beautiful clay artworks to decorate the four external walls of the public toilet block on Main Street.
The inspiration for Toil Art came from a brainstorming session for a new community project at the 'Meet, Meld Merge' forum run by Berry St with the support of the Cultural Development Network in September 2006.
The artwork variously celebrates the
Yea Wetlands, historical landmarks, the local community, artists, businesses and tourism of Yea. The spectacular Autumn colours of the Yea Main Street are represented in the leaf shapes which adorn a whole wall. Read the full story of the artwork
here.
Truly a reflection of the local community, Yea primary schools even became involved. Young students provided drawings which artists then used as part of their inspiration.
Whether you're stopping at Yea on the way to another destination, or visiting the township and surrounds, chances are you'll wind up at the Yea Public Toilets at some point. Make sure you take the time to admire the results of this fabulous community art project.
