Evolve: Neighbourhood Regeneration Through Partnership
News Stories
Memories, Masks and Mosaics in Bootle Arts Show
08 June 2007
A 'memory box' made of a garden shed filled with ceramic tiles depicting images of old Bootle, is the centrepiece of an arts exhibition at 45 Stanley Road, Bootle.
Artists Vinnie Cleghorne, Sam Hatton and Debbie Ryan were engaged by Solid Futures and Evolve Neighbourhood Regeneration to work with local people including community groups, schoolchildren and students from Hugh Baird College. Four months on, works including murals, masks, mosaics and the garden shed 'memory box' are on display to the public.
The outside of the shed is covered with mosaics representing aspects of Bootle's past, present and future and the exhibition also includes a set of masks that celebrate childhood and ask questions such as 'when was the last time you skimmed a stone across a lake?'
A documentary film has been produced to record the project, which will be screened during the exhibition.
The project is part of Solid Futures, an arts programme developed by PLUS Housing Group in partnership with Merseyside pathfinder organisation NewHeartlands. Solid Futures works in areas that are undergoing regeneration, and encourages people to think about what their neighbourhood means to them, celebrate local history and explore their aspirations for the future. Participants in the Bootle project range in age from five years old to over 80.
Lisa Cover, project officer for Evolve Neighbourhood Regeneration, told us: 'Evolve works with local people to give them a real say in the future of their neighbourhood. This project is an exciting way for people to get involved, try something new and learn more about the positive changes happening in this area.'
Artist Vinnie Cleghorne added: 'This exhibition is unique because the local kids love it and have been totally fascinated by it.'
The exhibition is open 12 - 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday until 22 June. Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time during the opening.
The Bootle arts base is supported by Sefton MBC and Housing Market Renewal's Living Through Change fund and the project runs until March 2008. Local residents who would like to get involved should contact Lisa Cover, Evolve Projects Officer on 0151 286 5555 or at lisa.cover@evolve-nr.org.uk
For further information on this story, please contact Bridget Waters at bridget.waters@plusgroupltd.org.uk or telephone them on 0151 708 4653
