Boscombe Sea Road Public Art Trail: Meet the artist

Residents in Bournemouth are being invited to meet the artist appointed to design and produce a series of seven high quality public artworks forSea Road. The artworks will form a trail to link the Boscombe Spa Village regeneration scheme with Boscombe Precinct, encouraging seafront visitors up to the central shopping area. 

The Council announced in December the appointment of Dorset-based artist Andy Kirkby to create the art trail. Now the public can meet with him to hear more about his design approach and also help inspire his thinking by sharing their ideas.

The meet-the-artist public sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday 20 January, 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start at the Chine Hotel, Boscombe
• Or pop in at any time on Saturday 23 January, Sovereign Centre, Boscombe between 11.30am – 1.30pm. 

Local artists and students are also invited to attend a meeting with Andy on Tuesday 19 January 6.30pm – 7.30pm at the Arts University College atBournemouth, Wallisdown campus.  

The artworks are being funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of continuing efforts to help regenerate Boscombe.

Andy is highly experienced with a strong track record and has been selected by a Project Panel of local arts professionals and representatives from the Boscombe community.

At the sessions the Artist will be introducing himself, his previous work, talking about the commission and answering questions.  This is an opportunity for local people and artists to express their ideas and help inform Andy’s thinking as he develops his design concepts.

It is anticipated that the final artworks will make an important contribution to 'place-making' for residents and visitors and will provide a positive sense of identity for the Sea Road area.

To find out more, visit: http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Visitors/Seafront/New_developments/default.asp

  

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Notes to editors:

About Andy Kirkby

Andy Kirkby has worked as a sculptor on public realm projects for over 25 years using a variety of materials.  Recent local commissions include the ‘Garden in the forest’ sculpture for Bishop of Winchester school and  'Orrery' a large hand cranked automata, Puddletown.

About the commission

The £74,000 commission, funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of the Council’s cultural regeneration project for Boscombe, will consist of an orientation feature in the Edwardian Garden overlooking Boscombe Pier Approach and six public artworks located on the pavement along Sea Road.

The project aims to encourage visitors to Boscombe seafront to venture up Sea Road and explore the commercial heart of Boscombe, helping to spread economic regeneration further.

28 artists expressed an interest in the commission and following interviews with a shortlist of four, Andy Kirkby was selected by a project panel on the basis of his previous work, project experience and approach to community engagement.

About the Project Panel

The project panel is made up of arts professionals and local people including public art consultant Nicky Whittenham, Ward Councillor Lisa Northover, local resident and member of the Sea Change Boscombe community stakeholders group Steve Kent, the Council's Arts Development Officer Adam Gent and the Course Leader from the Arts University College at Bournemouth, Mike Griffiths. This panel will go on to approve the concepts and final designs.

About the Boscombe Sea Change project

The Boscombe Sea Change project is a £455,000 scheme funded by CABE incorporating:

 *   The UK’s first purpose-designed accessible beach facilities, west of Boscombe Pier

 *   Creative mood lighting within Boscombe Precinct

 *   A Sea Road arts trail linking the pier with the precinct

 *   A visitor interpretation and new public seating within Boscombe Pier Approach.