Arts / Murals added to public art project
Burra based art group Gaada, meanwhile, has received funding to create a workshop assistant job
TWO murals will be created in Lerwick as part of a public art project.
It will form the second stage of the LOCUS project, which has already commissioned four sculptures.
Living Lerwick has secured more funding from the Scottish Government’s town centre fund to extend the project to include the murals.
Working in partnership with Shetland Arts, an open call has resulted in the selection of three artists and one collective to each create a design.
These will be put to a public vote for the community to choose which two designs will be commissioned for completion this summer.
Shetland Arts’ Jane Matthews said: “We wanted this to be as democratic a process as possible so we’re going to put it to the public vote for the community to decide.
“The four designs will go on display on the street, outside the Peerie Shop café and you have six days to vote for your favourite two, one for each of the allocated sites. You can vote online or post your vote in the box at the display.”
Living Lerwick chairman Steve Mathieson said: “We’re delighted to have these additional funds to allow us to bring more colour and excitement to the street.
“It enables us to encourage both locals and visitors to engage more with our amazing culture and see how it inspires renowned artists from all over Scotland to create their own, unique interpretations.”
The vote will be open from 23-28 February; more information on how to vote will be available soon.
Local artist Chloe Keppie, who studies communication design at Glasgow School of Art, has also been commissioned to create the accompanying trail map which will include information on all the LOCUS works of art.
Community art company Gaada, meanwhile, has secured new funding from the Scottish Government to support the project through the pandemic.
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The money is being used to create a temporary position for a workshop assistant to develop a post-coronavirus strategy.
Local artist Vivian Ross-Smith has taken on the role with the Burra based group, which will involved working four days a week for the next three months.
The funding will also be used to create a better working environment through the purchase of new equipment.
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