21/07/2010

An exciting new outdoor art exhibition in the centre of York was opened by the Sheriff of York, Councillor Richard Watson, yesterday.

The exhibition features 24, 1.5m2 paintings with a ‘city walls' theme, which have been created by local community groups working with Yorkshire artists as part of a wider community arts initiative.

The initiative is a partnership between York Archaeological Trust, the Arts and Culture Service at the City of York Council, Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd and Yorkshire artists Mary Pasari, Cheryl Colley and Lisa Nicholson.

Under the guidance of the three artists; Cheryl (working with Arts Alive, Glen Lodge and York A team), Mary (working with Aspire) and Lisa (working with Greenworks), the outdoor artwork has been produced by five community groups, involving over 50 people. 

Each group, including adults with mental health issues, learning difficulties and aspergers syndrome; older people in sheltered housing; and homeless people in the city - worked over the last three months to create the paintings based around history, people, views from the walls, nature and stonework.  Each has used different aspects of the walls to influence their work, which is evident in the huge variety of subject matter, technique and style.

The vibrant paintings are displayed on 50 metres of site hoardings, supplied by developers Crosby Lend Lease and Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd specifically for community art displays on site.  They will be on display for the rest of the year. 

Head of Community Development at Lend Lease, Susie Wilson, says: "This is the fifth exhibition of community paintings at the outdoor Hungate hoardings gallery and the team is thrilled with the continued enthusiasm from both local artists and groups in getting involved."

Chief Executive of York Archaeological Trust, John Walker, adds: "The paintings look fantastic and I'm sure they'll attract lots of interest from passers by.  Projects like this are an important part of building stronger communities and we've been really pleased with the level of interest from local groups that has enabled us to run this project for a fifth consecutive year."

The York Archaeological Trust team runs a number of community-based projects including the Greater York Community Archaeology Project, which helps people to get involved in exploring the archaeology and history in the area they live; a Young Offenders project and the Community Arts and Drama projects undertaken annually as part of the JORVIK Viking Festival. 

In addition, the Trust also conducts oral history work, which has brought together the memories of hundreds of York residents to produce a series of history books. 

To find out more and get involved with York Archaeological Trust visit http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/involved/community1.htm.

-ENDS-