Following a successful Arts Council England application by Dorset Council, interviews were held last week in which two Bristol based artists – Alec Stevens and Jo Kimber were appointed. Jo is a Creative Producer and talented writer and Alec is a skilled illustrator and sculptor.
They have been commissioned by Leisure Services to undertake a new summer community arts engagement programme in Weymouth to support the summer installation of a new Weymouth Public Art Trail which will be unveiled in October 2021.
The two artists were one of 12 submissions made to the Council
Their community engagement project will respond to the Artists sculptures and artworks to be installed in Weymouth this summer and will explore the themes in their brief with a working title:
‘Past, Present and Future’.
- The past will have a focus on the history of Weymouth, working with Weymouth Civic Society and project work with local care home residents.
- The present will focus on now, they will work with and engage with local residents and visitors about why they have come to the seafront at Weymouth
- The future will work with young people in Weymouth, with a focus on climate change and the rising levels of water.
Alec and Jo will begin planning their work in May, with a roll out of engaging activities and innovative art project work, between June and September as the art trail sculptures are installed in their permanent sites.
Their work will be leading towards a grand unveil and community event to launch the sculpture trail in October 21 with an interactive web-based art trail map. With funding provided by Dorset Council in partnership with Weymouth Town Council.
Cllr Colin Huckle, the Mayor of Weymouth, said:
‘The town council is pleased to be able to support this exciting project and, in particular, looks forward to the new installations on the Promenade. We welcome the appointment of Alec Stevens and Jo Kimber to encourage the community to engage with and understand the themes of the new installations.’
Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said:
“This project is a great opportunity to show how different generations of artists, residents and visitors can come together to create something that celebrates Weymouth’s rich history while also looking at future challenges. We want our communities to feel proud of Dorset’s arts, heritage, and cultural offer and for it to be shaped by our communities so that culture becomes woven into everyday life as an entitlement – not a privilege. I can’t wait to see what the artists come up with.”
How much did it cost?
Haven’t these sculptures already been designed and commissioned? The installation is the culmination of some years of work in that case. Whilst it is terrific that local residents will be engaged in this final phase it is misleading to suggest that this is a project that will be started in the Spring of this year and completed before the Winter. Have I got this all wrong?
Whilst not wishing to complain about the artists chosen who seem to be very good , it seems odd that local artists were not chosen .
I completely agree! This is very sad as we have many great artists here who would love the opportunity to contribute to where they have grown up, live and have memories 🙁
How about spending money on a new Arts centre that could be used by all local people to create their own sculptures, paintings etc?
This would be a much better use of money!
WELL SAID. I TOTALLY AGREE.
why on earth weren’t local artists used? Whatdo artists in Bristol know about Weymouth?? The primary consideration (artistic and admin abilities being equal) should’ve been that these people are local. We have some fabulous local artists.
No wonder Weymouth history is so overlooked! Climate and ecological change is all very well but is not locality specific. No local slant will be addressed. Whatever is created could’ve been created anywhere on the UK coast. I find the generic nature of this to be an opportunity to increase local and visitor knowledge of Weymouth and Portland history squandered.
And for pities’ sake, let’s not have any more giant representations of throwaway polystyrene food containers, disposable cutlery and Coke bottles masquerading as ‘art’ on the beach. Talk about giving littering the OK. It just encouraged people to add their own ‘art installations’ to the rubbish already strewn on the beach. Did nobody vet that horror before it was put up?