Mossel Bay’s Arts and Crafts Centre gets facelift

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MOSSEL BAY BUSINESS NEWS AND VIDEO - Mossel Bay Tourism, in partnership with Mossel Bay Municipality, has embarked on a project to rejuvenate two historical buildings in Market Street.

At this new complex, the creations of local artists and crafters will be showcased and sold.

The discovery of human occupation at the Pinnacle Point caves, dating back to the Middle Stone Age around 162 000 years ago, has added a new dimension to Mossel Bay's historical significance. Of particular interest to the tourism initiative is the fact that it was here that the earliest evidence of modern humans engaging in arts and crafts can be found.

Geneticists believe that the entire world was repopulated from a group of about 600 individuals who survived the last ice age at the Pinnacle Point caves. Coupled with this evidence, Mossel Bay can rightfully claim to be the arts and crafts cradle of modern humans.

Mossel Bay Tourism intends to harness the artistic qualities of its earliest inhabitants by establishing an arts and crafts in the heart of the town.

This fits perfectly into the growing international tourism trend towards authentic experiences, whilst building on an already well-established local arts and crafts community.

Mossel Bay Municipality is set on optimising the tourism potential of the town and creating employment. Empowering artists and crafters, in cooperation with the Tourism Office, is a high priority on its agenda.

Herein lies an opportunity to restore and repurpose the two historical municipal buildings.

Watch a video below:

New purpose
The first municipal building was built in 1858 and is a small white building with distinctive Karoo-style architecture. The plastered quoins around the front door and windows and at the corners are typical of this period. This was the town’s first municipal and community centre, and was later used as a library, telegraph office and dance hall. The mail coach also stopped here.

The building will be integrated with the current Tourism Office to create a modern new entrance, leading to a coffee shop where tourists can spend some time planning their day trips and excursions.

The second municipal building was built in 1879. The carved keystones above the windows and the doorway depict the farming activities of the district (wheat, sheep, oxen, ostrich and grapes). It became a cultural museum until 2001.

Henceforth, it will house the Mossel Bay Historical Society, displaying its digital historical photo project, as well as offering talks and tours of Mossel Bay’s rich history.

In addition, high-quality, locally-produced souvenirs, art and craft items will be on display to enjoy and purchase.

"Mossel Bay Tourism would like to thank Coetzee Alberts Architects and LEAP Quantity Surveyors. Both companies is offering their services on a pro-bono basis. Partnerships like these are extremely valuable and of great benefit of securing Mossel bay`s rich historic assets," says Aneli Gerber, Chief Operations Officer of Mossel Bay Tourism.

For information to display or sell in the new centre, contact Aneli Gerber (044 691 2202 or aneli@visitmosselbay.co.za).

Photos: Mossel Bay Historical Society:

The first municipal building was built in 1858 and is a small white building with distinctive Karoo-style architecture. This was the town’s first municipal and community centre, and was later used as a library, telegraph office and dance hall. The mail coach also stopped here.