Borough residents turned out in force as the community enjoyed an arts spectacular in Nuneaton town centre.
Art on the Streets was co-ordinated by GRIT Arts Central, created with local artists and communities from across the borough and forms part of a Creative Borough Summer Events Programme.
Comments from attendees included:
- “We need more of these things in the town centre, brings people into the town, you have a sense of community.’’
- “Inspiring, it was a great way to showcase the brilliant people of Nuneaton and its organisations working together, I’d love to see more celebrations of Nuneaton’s creativity, a fantastic event.’’
- “This event brightened up the place and brought people into the town.’’
- “It was lovely to walk around Nuneaton and see people smiling and everyone enjoying the atmosphere.’’
The programme included a live mural art extravaganza curated by Nathan Parker, Hip Hop and Morris Dancing, street sculptures, new commissions and installations by Escape Arts, Station Gallery.
There was a mass graffiti arts installation by young people, Aspire in Art, and groups from Wembrook, Stockingford and Camp Hill and a mural for Nuneaton Library designed by local young people, a collaboration with local artist Nathan Parker and Shout Out for the Arts.
The day also featured outdoor performances by Nuneaton based theatre companies including Dauntless Evolution and Sudden Impulse.
Visitors also saw the launch of Convoy, an artwork of scale created on lorries which takes the beauty and innovation in the borough to the world, designed and created by local artist Alisha Miller in collaboration with local businesses.
Cllr Tim Jenkins, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Communities and Health, said:
“We were delighted at how well the day went and it really brought our community together.
“We were incredibly proud to support GRIT Arts in the production of their first outdoor festival and the many local people, artists and companies who have taken part in the preparation for this event.
“We were pleased to support skilled and talented people from the Borough who brought creativity, passion and energy to this outdoor festival.’’
Jane Hytch, Executive Producer at Imagineer Productions, said:
“This was just the beginning, it was an event that allowed so many people to focus their creative expression.
“Nuneaton and Bedworth has such a unique cultural identity and who better than the borough community to capture that.”
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, Artichoke, and Imagineer have been supported by an Arts Council England Place Partnership Award to develop key projects through The Creative Explorers Project.
This has allowed local artists and residents to work with national and international artists, companies, and businesses.
It is creating a series of events which celebrate the unique cultural identity and ambition of Nuneaton and Bedworth and builds creative aspirations for the future.
For further information, interviews with artists and residents contact Jane Hytch, Executive Producer via: Jane@imagineerproductions.co.uk or 07809 429619.