A grant of nearly £10,000 will help bring a host of art projects to a city park following a recent restoration project.
The Burslem Park Partnership has been awarded £9,860 by Arts Council England for their Success to our Park project. The project aims to deliver arts activities and create art work, facilitate better relationships between users, and encourage people to think about the park as an inspiring and creative place.
The Partnership will be working with park staff from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and local artists Hilary Hughes, Steve Cooling and Rachel Grant from B.Arts! to deliver a total of 42 sessions.
Young people at Haywood High School, Moorpark Junior School and Moorland Park Youth Centre will all be working on this project over the next three month together with groups brought together by the Federation of Stadium Communities. Participants will produce banners and flags that will be displayed at the restored park's grand opening event on Saturday June 23.
Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for city services, said: “It’s great news that the Arts Council England has recognised the hard work that has gone on to make Burslem Park a fantastic place to visit and enjoy.
“I hope local residents take the opportunity to join in with these classes and maybe we can discover some budding artists in the making here in the city.
“A great deal of time and effort has gone into revitalising Burslem Park and we are looking forward to its grand reopening in June this year.”
Visitors will be invited to mark the Victorian park's £2m restoration, which is due for completion in May, and which has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, through their Parks for People programme.
Artists from B.Arts! will be delivering their first sessions in the park on Thursday March 29, Friday March 30, and Saturday April 1, offering park users the chance to get involved.
Anyone interested in participating should visit the park pavilion on the day or call Mike Watson on 07980 966290.
-Ends-
Location: Burslem Park
Date: Thursday March 29, 2012.
Time: 1pm.
What: Artists from B.Arts! will be delivering their first art session in the park.
For all media enquiries contact Steven Kennedy in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232987.