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Public Art: Brightening Up Boscombe
On a busy Saturday morning people out shopping in Boscombe’s Sovereign Centre paused to look at an exhibition of designs for a new town centre building programme developed by East Dorset Housing Association (EDHA).
On display were architectural drawings for a new ground floor library with twenty four affordable one and two bedroom flats over three storeys. Accompanying the exhibition were representatives from the project partners, EDHA, Bournemouth Borough Council’s Arts Development and Library Service, as well as artist, Jeff Pigott, selected to develop the first phase of a community based public art project, to create decorative panels on the hoardings around the building site.
What’s clear from an occasion like this, is that people want to discuss cultural and creative ideas which relate to their locality, its amenities and possible change to public spaces. This kind of spontaneous interaction engages with people who might not attend a more formal meeting. Not only did people offer views about the role of public buildings and the importance of good design, they were keen to discuss the function of libraries within a community, and the value of books and reading in raising the spirit, and combating loneliness.
Involving an artist at this early consultative stage was one of the project’s key aims. Apart from chatting, Jeff Pigott encouraged people to write and draw ideas.
Children drew favourite characters and designs for the layout of libraries, including floor cushions and cafes, and discussed book preferences and the disappointments of unsuccessful translations from book to film. And all on a Saturday morning in a busy shopping precinct. ‘Books are my saviour’ said one woman. ‘They get me away from reality, reading and thinking it in your mind,’ said another.
Following further creative sessions with students at Bethany and St Clements Schools, Jeff designed a series of panels which were positioned on the hoardings around the building site, following demolition of the original library. The ‘unveiling’ of the hoarding designs by the Mayor, was an opportunity to draw attention to the project, to get people interested in the second phase to design panels to decorate the walls of a bicycle store situated at the main entrance to the flats and library.
This project was developed during the twelve month building period. A successful application to Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts by East Dorset Housing Association emphasised the following key opportunities:
- to develop a model of good practice, involving key stakeholders engaging meaningfully with each other’s services.
- to raise the profile of the new Bournemouth Public Art Development Plan
- to encourage understanding about the process of developing public art
- to encourage residents to express ideas about identity and sense of place
- to recruit a placement artist to work with the lead artist
- to raise the profile of artists working in the field of public art
Young people and staff from libraries were involved in selecting lead artist, Peter Dunn. One of the main criteria for selection was that the artist should have experience and understanding of community consultation as well as art form expertise. Peter led a series of workshops with local groups on the theme of identity and place, with support from a local artist selected as a continuing professional development opportunity.
People’s responses to both the interim hoardings and the final glass and steel panels have been wholeheartedly positive; those familiar early cries of ‘they’ll be ruined by vandalism and graffiti’ have proved unfounded. In one of the country’s most socially deprived area the works remain untouched, due no doubt to the fact people see the relevance in work of this kind, how it connects with the history of place as well as with lives today.
At night, backlighting creates a vibrant beacon of colour in a dark street, welcoming residents to their homes. And by day, sunlight illuminates drawings, shapes and text on glass and etched steel, encouraging people to look directly at marks made by local people, as they enter the library.
The work – in its significant central site – acts as a permanent ‘advocate’ for the way public spaces are enriched and enlivened by experienced artists working with residents and their strong views about the quality of living places.
The public art element of the Boscombe Library project made a significant contribution to the success of the development as a whole, which won the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor’s award under the theme, Community Benefit.
What People Said:
Nick Fry, Managing Director of EDHA
"The provision of public art as part of our new affordable housing developments helps East Dorset Housing Association in its aim to contribute to wider neighbourhood objectives. Boscombe library is a great example of where we have helped to build a great new community library and new affordable rented homes, but where we have also commissioned a stunning piece of public art that stimulates the imagination of local residents and library visitors. EDHA successfully involved local school children and other members of the public in the creation of the designs that were eventually used in the public art and encouraged the community to be interested in the library, long before it opened for business. The public art has also helped to raise EDHA's profile in the local community as a housing provider who is more than just a landlord and who is keen to ensure that Boscombe remains a vibrant and successful neighbourhood"
Fiona Astin, Group Development Manger, Synergy Housing Group,
“Boscombe Library and Chapter House are more than just a building. With the involvement of the people of Boscombe and the artists, a new place has been made - a place that the community can be proud of, and feel a part of.”
Gill Horitz, Arts Development Officer:
“This project was a successful example of organisations working creatively together through the arts, respecting and drawing on each other’s specialisms – and contributing to an better understanding by stakeholders and public, of the relevance and value of public art.”
Artist, Peter Dunn:
“The art reflects Boscombe’s history and identity. I think the quality of the contributions made by the school children, local groups and participants was excellent. The whole idea was inspired by the seaside location, the colour, the imagery, the whole idea is all about reflections of being near water.”
Participants
Chris Midgley, Bethany Junior School, Boscombe
“This was a fantastic project for local children to be involved in. Many of these children will grow up and live their lives in Boscombe, knowing how they have contributed to their community. It has enabled them to learn how they can become involved in developing their community.”
Ellen, 11 years
“When we grow up we can show other children what we made and they can look forward to being involved in local projects as well.”
Lauren, 11 years
“It was fun having our photos taken with the art work, because it made us feel famous.”
Ellen, 11 years
“It was really exciting to see all our pictures mixed in with everyone else’s.”
Action on Addiction, Working Recovery’s Jan R, Participant of AoA, Working Recovery, Creative Skills.
“It was great to be involved with an Art project in the local community! The fact that the finished work is now displayed on such an exciting looking building, in what was previously a very drab part of town is really amazing!
The images depict so many variations of ideas promoting the new library as the positive community resource that it is. Each time that I am passing, I look and notice something new that interests me. I also take a certain sense of pride and achievement with my involvement in this project.”
Franki C, Volunteer. AoA, Working Recovery, Creative Skills
“In being involved with this project, I have gained a great sense of wellbeing and accomplishment!
It was fantastic to see the final piece displayed in such an innovative way and in a great community setting.”
Hugh Adlam, Creative Skills Trainer
“The opportunity to be involved with this project has been altogether, very positive. I learnt a great deal working with an established community artist, which I have been able to apply to my own practice. Working on this project has helped raise the profile of Working Recovery in the local area. This has been fantastic!
It was great for me to attend the unveiling, meeting all the other people involved, and making positive connections in the wider community.
I also share the sense of pride and achievement in Working Recovery, Creative Skills involvement with this project.”
Others
Thomas O’Brian, Chapter House resident
“It’s absolutely excellent, gives the place a whole new life, it stands out in the street, everyone comments on it, not a bad word. People were worried at New Year if there would be vandalism but nothing has happened. One of the residents is in one of the photographs – he called his family in Australia to say he’s famous now. Now the black of flats opposite is being renovated – the whole street is going up.”
Library user
“A positive and encouraging initiative.”
Bournemouth Mayor, Councillor Anne Filer,
“This artwork has become a focal point of colour in a public space.”
Facts
The project was- a partnership between East Dorset Housing Association, Bournemouth Libraries, Bournemouth Borough Council Arts Development.
- developed and managed as part of Bournemouth Borough Council’s Arts Development programme.
- funded by a combination of private finance raised by East Dorset Housing Association, social housing grant from Bournemouth Borough Council, a grant allocation from the Housing Corporation and Arts council of England.
For more information about the project:
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/residents/arts
May 2008