Telling Tales: Landmark. Winning design announced
Published April 17, 2008 in news
‘Telling Tales: Landmark’ – communities choose landmark design for Rowley Hills.
Over 250 residents in Rowley Regis have voted for their favourite design for a public artwork to be located on the Rowley Hills. Community arts organisation Multistory and artists Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Planet Art invited residents to choose their favourite design as part of a two-day special event at Haden Hill House in March this year.
‘Tales of Rowley’ was the overwhelming public choice from the five designs on show and it will create a permanent sculpture trail celebrating the area’s heritage. Located on Rowley Hill, just off East Avenue, the trail will encompass a series of sculptures made from Rowley Rag, cast iron and featuring scenes of mining, nail making, quarrying and chain making. The trail will lead visitors to a landscaped open space offering fantastic views of the Black Country.
Planet Art will be creating the sculptures for the trail over the coming months and the permanent display will be installed mid-summer.
Rich Franks, Project Manager at Multistory said: “The response to all of the designs was tremendously positive and we are delighted that so many residents cast their vote, in person, over two days. We are all looking forward to seeing the sculpture trail take shape on Rowley Hill.”
Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Planet Art said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the community of Rowley. We have met some wonderful folk who have really helped shape the sculpture. We are now working with Edwin Richards quarry to choose suitable stone for the pieces of work. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the groups we have worked with”.
Steve West, Sandwell Council Parks’ Facilities Manager, said: ”Parks & Countryside Services are very pleased to have been working in partnership with Multistory, Rowley Regis Town Team and the local community on what will be an important project for the town of Rowley Regis. We look forward to the installation being completed, after when we will take responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the trail”.
Multistory and Planet Art have worked with local councillors; children from Corngreaves Primary School and St Michaels C of E High School; sixth formers from Tividale Community Arts College; plus faith groups including Oakham Church; over 60s’ groups and Rowley’s Art in Mind group to develop ideas for the five designs which went on show to the public at Haden Hill House.
For more information on the project contact Multistory on 0121 525 6861
The Telling Tales: Landmark project for Rowley Regis is the exciting finale to the NRF Telling Tales creative projects that Multistory has been delivering over the last year across Sandwell, in conjunction with Sandwell Council’s Town Teams Division. The Telling Tales programme has included a portrait project in West Bromwich; a light projection artwork in Smethwick; a banner project in Wednesbury; a photography project in Oldbury; and a circus performance in Tipton.
Telling Tales: Landmark has been developed by Multistory, a community arts organisation that engages communities, organisations and artists in Sandwell, the Black Country, the region and nationally through creative approaches to learning, health and regeneration. The project is funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and was commissioned by Sandwell Council’s Town Teams Division.
Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Planet Art have worked in partnership for the past 15 years, working closely with local communities in the creation of professional public artworks. Based in the Black Country, they work in durable materials that include case iron, bronze, stone, metal fabrication and brick.
