Artwork celebrating the wildlife of Cardigan Bay is transforming Aberystwyth Bandstand.

The artwork features Cardigan Bay’s grey seal, green shore crab, compass jellyfish and harbour porpoise surrounded by seaweed-inspired designs.

Aberystwyth Town councillor Nishant Chandolia proposed the idea with the aim of creating a lasting piece of public art celebrating the town’s marine heritage while also carrying a wider message about conservation.

Big Wave Tôn Fawr worked with Cllr Chandolia to develop and coordinate the project, bringing in local artists Harrie and Sam of Sporks Studio to design and paint the artwork.

Cllr Chandolia said: “Aberystwyth’s connection with the sea goes far beyond having a beautiful coastline. It shapes our landscape, our wildlife, our history and so much of everyday life in the town.

“When I brought the idea to Aberystwyth Town Council, I wanted us to create something that celebrated our marine heritage but also carried a simple conservation message. Living beside such an extraordinary marine environment also gives us a responsibility to care for it.”

The project title, ‘Be on the Sea’s Side’ / ‘Ar ran y môr’, grew out of the project’s conservation theme.

Cllr Chandolia added: “That wording really brought the whole project together for me.

“We are already by the sea in Aberystwyth. The artwork asks us to be on its side as well — to appreciate what we have, protect the wildlife that depends on it and think about what we leave for future generations.”

Big Wave Tôn Fawr said: “Cllr Nishant wanted to create something lasting to mark Aberystwyth’s first Blue Month, and we developed the idea with him from there.

“Through our network of local artists, we knew Harrie and Sam were the perfect people to bring it to life.

“The Bandstand now celebrates four icons of Cardigan Bay sharing the space with everyone who performs, meets and gathers there.

“We’d love to see these four characters continue popping up around the town in the future.”

The project has taken several months to reach the painting stage, with those involved working through design changes, permissions, preparation of the building, specialist paint requirements and the challenges of working in an exposed seafront location.

Cllr Chandolia said: “There have definitely been a few ups and downs getting here, which makes seeing the artwork finally appearing on the Bandstand even more rewarding.

“This has become a genuinely collaborative project. Aberystwyth Town Council supported the idea and made the project possible, Big Wave have put a huge amount of work into developing and coordinating it, and Harrie and

Sam are now the people spending the hours actually bringing it to life.

“I hope that when it is finished, it simply becomes part of the Prom — something residents pass every day, something visitors stop to look at and something children begin to recognise.

“And perhaps, while enjoying the artwork, people will think just a little more about the remarkable marine environment sitting right on Aberystwyth’s doorstep.”

Work on ‘Be on the Sea’s Side’ / ‘Ar ran y môr’ continues at Aberystwyth Bandstand, subject to weather conditions.