Artwork sought for Lerwick trail

LIVING Lerwick is partnering with Shetland Arts to set up a “contemporary art trail” around the town centre.

The trail, dubbed LOCUS, will consist of up to four commissioned works of public art that will “act as town place makers, animate the area and offer a new way to engage with contemporary art and the environment”.

An accompanying trail map will act as an interpretive guide, incorporating existing public artworks to create a wider trail.

According to the partners, the “self-led walking trail will encourage people to consider the town and its amenities with a fresh perspective, connecting business, place and art for the community and visitors alike.”

Living Lerwick chairman Steve Mathieson said: “We are pleased to be working with Shetland Arts on the town centre art trail project.

“It’s something we’ve been hoping to progress for a number of years and now that we have the funding confirmed, and the expertise of Shetland Arts staff, I know we will be able to deliver a successful and attractive project for Lerwick’s town centre. We’re looking forward to seeing the ideas that come from the artists developed into the finished artworks.”

Shetland Arts’ Jane Matthews said the aim was to “create a narrative on Lerwick and its connection to the past, present and future”.

“The work will be commissioned via an open call selection process, responding to a brief on the theme of place making: Where we are; Where we’re going; Where we’ve come from,” she added. “The scope is broad to encourage as diverse an approach as possible.”

For more information and details of how to submit to the open call, visit here: shetlandarts.org/commissions