Arts project comes to Stoke-on-Trent this summer

Stoke-on-Trent will be coming alive this summer with an exciting programme of arts projects happening across the city. From an outdoor cinema being brought to life in Meir to a dance event that will see residents take to the streets, there will be something for everyone to get involved in.

Now in its third year, Place, Space and Identity has commissioned six projects that all focus on the people of Stoke-on-Trent, celebrating their many identities, and honouring the places where they live.

The selected artists have been chosen on the strength of their ideas and their ability to create fun and interesting artworks that will involve the local communities.  The lead artist, Rich White, is well known for his large-scale artworks that use not only local knowledge and ideas but also local, reclaimed materials. In a previous work, Rich created a life size submarine from cardboard and string that had been found at the local marketplace, and he will be looking to do something equally as striking in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.

The arts based interventions are designed to help celebrate a sense of community in the areas.

Locally-based arts organisation, B-Arts, will be building an outdoor cinema in Meir where they will be helping local children to create animated films that will be screened to residents. Redhawk Logistica, another arts company from the Midlands, will be brightening one street by working with residents to paint front doors in order to improve the streetscene.

Daisy Thompson, an established dance artist will be leading a participatory dance event, while Anoushka Athique will be creating a striking art installation with fabrics.  Rounding off the projects is Lucy Cork who will be creating long term and unique improvements to street furniture by celebrating the city’s ceramic history. The community will be invited to smash old crockery and ceramics into a large acrylic structure. The smashed pieces will then be used to decorate street benches and furniture to create a unique public art feature in the city.

Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “Stoke-on-Trent is a very culturally diverse city that takes pride in its heritage and the arts that take place within it and this project is a great way to show that to people outside of the city. We hope that local residents who get involved enjoy the project and learn something new about the city along the way.”

Place, Space and Identity is a collaboration between the former regeneration body RENEW and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, supported by Arts Council and uses ring fenced funds for art projects within the areas of major intervention.