Having appointed our artist-in-residence, the next stage was to facilitate a meeting between Kay and people involved with the Hemmingwell estate. Fortunately, at about the same time, the local Hope Project were holding a celebratory event: opening the brand new Hemmingwell Skills and Community Centre.
This fab new building is right where the shops are and where the new art-work will be once it's finished. The celebration was held one sunny day and attended by all sorts of people active in the area.
That included:
Surestart - a national UK initiative to support families with children under five in areas of deprivation through local projects all over the country
Homestart - another UK initiative to support families, particularly those going through a hard time, through the tireless work of volunteer supporters
Oakway Infant and Junior Schools - whose children had identified the area as unsafe in an original police survey
Hemmingwell Action Group - committed and passionate residents working with others to make a difference
(including the instrumental arts officer, Paula Armstrong)
And, of course, the new artist-in-residence, Kay Aplin
There were loads of people there, and a real sense of excitement and community. The local papers even covered the event! Kay laid out a stall with creative activities, helped by Wellingborough Council's arts intern from the University of Northampton, Lisa Berry, and also mingled with the crowd to introduce herself. So, it was a great start to the arts project.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment