Art project to brighten up canal tunnel
An art project will get underway next month to help rejuvenate a
canal tunnel in Kidderminster and the community is being invited to
help.
There is a chance for anyone over 13 years old to work with
Peter Barber, an artist who specialises in community based
murals. He will be working to replace the graffiti in the
canal tunnel under St Mary's Ringway. The project is being
undertaken by Wyre Forest District Council with support from
British Waterways and the Community Housing Group.
The tunnel links the areas below St Mary's Church to Weavers
Wharf and is a key gateway into the town centre. For boaters
it is often their first experience of the town centre.
Councillor Tracey Onslow, Cabinet Member for Housing and
Environmental Services said,
"The canal is one of Kidderminster's most important assets. It
is a key boating and pedestrian route and should be a pleasurable
way to enter the town. However, this tunnel has long become
synonymous with anti-social behaviour and with extensive
graffiti. There appears to be a strong fear of crime in the
tunnel causing many people to avoid it. It also creates a poor
first impression for visitors; which, amongst the boating
community, has lead to anecdotal evidence that the town centre is
not a place to spend much time. Clearly, this is not the case
and this project will help to correct this idea."
In September 2009, the Kidderminster ReWyre Initiative was
launched along with the Kidderminster Regeneration Prospectus.
ReWyre is all about working together to improve the town and the
canal areas are a key part of this. There are ambitious plans to
redevelop areas of land adjacent to it. This is a long term
ambition but there is also a desire to take action now to improve
the environment. The arts project is a part of this.
Councillor Stephen Clee Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet
Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration said,
"Creating an exciting piece of public art in this location will
help significantly to improve this section of the canal and make
for a more attractive and interesting gateway into the town centre.
Although there are ambitious long-term plans for canal-side areas,
this project is great opportunity to take immediate action and make
dramatic improvements to the environment in the short-term."
As part of this project the artist will be running a design
workshop (free to attend for anyone over the age of 13) to help
develop designs. It offers a chance to get hands-on
involvement in the creation of this artwork.
The workshop will take place on Tuesday 6th April
from 10am until 3pm at the Boars Head Pub, 39 Worcester Street,
Kidderminster. Just bring your imagination and clothes you don't
mind getting dirty! The volunteers who attend this
workshop will then have the opportunity to work on-site on the 7th
and 8th to complete the artwork.
If you would like to see some of Peter's work visit
his profile.
Photograph shows the canal tunnel
under St Mary's ringway, where the artwork will be installed.
Date of issue - 25th March 2010
