Regeneration Art Programme
Blackpool’s Regeneration Art Programme (RAP) is funded by Blackpool Council, Arts Council England North West and Heritage Lottery Fund. The programme is co-ordinated by the RAP officer.
The RAP programme aims to:
• work with the communities in the seafront wards to directly effect the regeneration of the town.
• work with local, regional and national artists in the delivery of innovative programmes of creativity.
• link communities with existing creative opportunities within Blackpool, such as the Grundy, and use them to their advantage.
The RAP programme is in the process of delivering a number of projects in Blackpool, for example:
Lighting Project
Lighting Project Last October we invited two artists to work with the communities of the seafront wards in Blackpool to produce their own piece of illuminated artwork. In partnership with the Illuminations depot, the artists, Sarah Galloway and Clare McGarrigle, ran workshops and sessions within schools, community groups and libraries. They worked with over 300 members of the community to design and install the fantastic piece of work called Enlightenment. Building on the great response we have had in year one, we have appointed four artists to work within the seafront wards on year two of the project. The artists will begin working with community groups in October, with a piece to be finished by January 2010. For a preview of what’s in store below is a list of the appointed artists with some of their websites:
Mark Parry www.markparrymedia.com
Jessica Lloyd-Jones www.jessicalloyd-jones.com
Ruth Tyson-Jones
Rebecca Waite www.beckywaite.synthasite.com
The Boat House Project
Over the summer of 2009, we have invited sculptor John Merrill to work with the Boat House Project, based on Lytham Road. The projects’ aims are to skill up young men in areas such as carpentry. John will work with a group based at the Boathouse to develop a piece of wood based sculpture that will then be displayed within the community. You can see more of John’s work at: www.johnmerrill.org
Dance Residency
Through the months of July to September 2009, we have invited dance artist Rebecca Melvin to undertake a dance residency throughout the seafront wards of Blackpool. She will be working with the Dreamscheme at St Peters and other community groups in the area. Working alongside Rebecca we will have a local dancer who has just graduated working as a shadow artist, and a filmmaker. The groups will look at unused spaces within their community and involve this in the making of new work.
Bloomfield Talks
Bloomfield Talks had now come to an end with the publication of the Bloomfield Talks hardback book. This publication was distributed free to every household in Bloomfield. If you wish to have a look at the book, you will find one in all of the Blackpool libraries. The website www.bloomfieldtalks.org is still very active. On this website you can upload your own memories and picture to add to the archive. We have an artist working with schools and community groups over the coming year to develop the work of this website.
Artist in Residence
Kate Eggleston-Wirtz is coming to the end of her six-month period as artist in residence for Blackpool's seafront wards. She has been working with a wide selection of the community to collect items of meaning and also found objects within this ward. The project will conclude in September with an exhibition of the work the community have been making about their Blackpool. Kate has produced a piece of work that will be stored will the Grundy Art Gallery based on what she has collected over the six months and the heritage of Blackpool. The piece can be used for educational purposes and can be loaned out will an education pack to schools and community groups. Watch this space for the celebration date of the project and where the work is going to be exhibited. www.eggwirtz.com
‘Four Wards Light Night’ Celebrations - Friday 22nd January 2010
Community groups and schools in Talbot, Claremont, Waterloo and Bloomfield have worked with artists Becky Waite, Mark Parry, Jessica Lloyd Jones and Ruth Tyson Jones to create an exciting night of light based art installations and performances for the ‘Four Wards Light Night’ project.
The project is part of the Regeneration Art Programme, a two-year programme of innovative Arts Projects with Blackpool’s seafront communities, managed by Blackpool’s Arts Service and funded by Arts Council England through a Lottery Grant. Blackpool Illuminations Department has also supported the lighting project. Details of the events in each ward follows:-
Talbot ‘Jewels’ at St John’s School from 4pm
An amazing sculpture created by artist Becky Waite working with St Johns C of E Primary School pupils, Streetlife charity for homeless young people, New Directions mental health charity and Arts for Health group ‘Back on Track’. The colourful illuminated sculpture is made from recycled plastics and will be displayed at 59 Cookson Street.
At 4pm, the Worshipful Mayor of Blackpool Cllr Norman E Hardy and Deputy Mayor Cllr Valerie Haynes will open the event at St John’s C of E High School in the school hall. After the introduction staff, pupils and visitors are invited to take part in a lantern parade from the school via Caunce Street to the display at 59 Cookson Street to view the work.
Claremont ‘Street Beacons’ at Claremont Primary School from 4pm
Light Boxes designed by Claremont Primary School and Claremont Young Carers group will be displayed in the school and at Claremont Community Centre. Artist Mark Parry worked with the young people involved in the project to, “say what they want to the world – in light”.
Cllr Ivan Taylor will open the event at Claremont School at 4.30pm. A lantern procession from the school to the community centre will follow. The evening will culminate with a laser show.
Waterloo Illumin8 at Solaris Centre from 6pm
Illuminated sculptures powered by a bicycle will be showcased alongside artwork from Palatine School, Palatine Library Reading Group and the Boathouse Project. These groups worked with artist Jessica Lloyd Jones to create beautiful silhouettes through light experimentation.
After a welcome and introduction at 6pm by Councillor Tony Williams, Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, there will be the opportunity to try some lighting experiments and view the artwork.
Bloomfield Glow with the Flow at Bispham High School from 7.00pm -
‘Glow with the Flow’ is a dance performance in giant illuminated ‘pods’, choreographed by Ruth Tyson Jones and featuring dancers from the Boathouse Project, the Community Dance Activity Group, Revoe Dreamscheme and Bispham High School.
The event will begin at 7.00pm with an introduction and welcome from Cllr Tony Williams.
For more information about what creative things you can get involved in around Blackpool, please visit the following: www.blackpool.gov.uk/Arts
FOR MORE ARTS PAGES PLEASE VISIT:
Grundy Art Gallery
Dance Development
Arts Awards For Young People
Arts Development
Arts For Health
Creative Industries
Poet in Residence
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