Crossings and Gateways
Part of Our Year 2024, the Crossings & Gateways Programme sets out to embed public art in communities across the Wakefield District.
The district is renowned across the world as the home to The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park and as the birthplace of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. To celebrate and build on this remarkable story, Crossings and Gateways delivered murals and other works of public art that capture the heritage, stories and future aspirations of local people.
As part of the programme we were asked to support the initial phase of consultation by making local connections with community groups in the 6 arrears in preparation for the artist to work in the area. We did a lot of hanging out in community centres and with local councillors, visited youth groups, and made a mood board with communities for each of the six areas. After doing the ground work and making the connections we handed back to BEAM and the artists to develop the work further.
“Working with our local communities is key to making this artwork meaningful. They will see the work every day and they have the best ideas for what will celebrate their areas. By working together, we will help brighten up some of the key gateways into our towns. I can’t wait to see the creations.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
Murals are being created in four locations across the Wakefield district.
- Hemsworth – an external wall at Hemsworth library will have a mural by Douglas Black
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- Normanton – a wall at Normanton Market will be hosting a mural by Harriet Lawson
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- Ossett – the gable end wall at Richmond’s Butchers, Market Square will include a mural by Shiraaz Ali
- South Elmsall – the gable end wall at One Stop shop will feature a mural by Peachzz (images courtesy of SESKU Community Association)
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The murals are part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024. ‘Crossings and Gateways’ will deliver an exciting public art programme across communities in the district and provide a legacy that helps to transform places and celebrate the district’s unique heritage, as well as looking into the future.
Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 is an inclusive year-long celebration of Wakefield district and an invitation to enjoy 366 days of culture, creativity, and connection for everyone, everywhere. Our Year and the mural commissions have been kindly supported with investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority of £850,000, Arts Council England of £500,000 and National Lottery Heritage Fund of £245,000.
For further information, please visit: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/our-year-2024/