A new welcome archway, designed from the memories of local people is being unveiled at Bulwell Market Place.
The welcome archway, by artist Chris Campbell, comprises a steel structure with references to Bulwell’s history and local landmarks. The River Leen, the lattice work of the local bridge and a pitwheel are worked into the design.
As part of this commission, Chris consulted passers-by in Bulwell Market and at Bulwell Riverside on the design of the Archway. He also led an afternoon workshop as part of Bulwell Arts Festival’s Family Art day in the Market place in the summer, gathering ideas from local children on how colour could be incorporated into the final archway. The finished artwork will be unveiled by the Sheriff of Nottingham, Cllr Glyn Jenkins on Tuesday 14 November.
This new artwork adds another important feature to the Bulwell Market, which over the last year has undergone a major make over. The £300,000 regeneration works to the market place started in January and were completed in April 2017.
The work created a more pleasant area for relaxing, socialising and shopping by de-cluttering and repaving the pedestrianised area, providing new seating areas and bins and creating a bigger market space for future events and markets. The City Council has committed funding to develop Bulwell town centre as part of a drive to make the city’s town centres attractive places for people to visit, shop and relax in, and adds to the conservation area status Bulwell town centre achieved in October 2016. It has also tracked outside money into the area.
Councillor Graham Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration, said: “The city council is committed to improving Bulwell. These works have made the centre an even better place to shop, providing a more attractive space and the opportunity to expand it with new ideas and market stalls.
“The artwork created by Chris is unique and the fact that it has been created from the memories of local people makes it extra special. Bulwell has a rich history and this new archway will be the perfect entrance to a new, modern and more attractive Bulwell Market Place.”
The archway was designed and created by Chris Campbell, a British artist who student in Nottingham at Trent Polytechnic in 1980. Chris said: “”From the very beginning there has been lots of consultation with the public and the officers of the city council, this collaboration is an important part of the design stage. Workshops with the public during Bulwell Art Week finalised the design for the feature mining wheel which has given the arch a vibrant colorful appearance. The arch is a ‘welcoming’ addition to the square. It’s been a pleasure working on this project.”
The Bulwell Councillors and representatives from Bulwell Arts Festival commissioned the archway. Cllr Ginny Klein said “Bulwell proudly declares its identity and a welcome to the town. Bulwell is a fantastic place with a long history and we want to provide a warm welcome to visitors and shoppers.”
Bulwell Arts Festival, established 5 years ago, organises an annual 9-day arts festival each July and is finding ways to support more arts projects throughout the year. Nicola Curzon, Bulwell Arts Festival Coordinator said, “Bulwell is a great place to be creative and we have some wonderfully talented artists. We would love people in Bulwell and the surrounding areas to be part of our vibrant and supportive creative community.”