A new series of artworks at Nene Park in Peterborough are proving a hit with visitors with the second phase to be completed next week.
The Art in the Park project called 42Words organised by Nene Park Trust has worked with 14 local artists, many of whom have had work cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19, with the support of Arts Council Emergency Response funding.
The idea was to celebrate the fact Nene Park has been providing a space for wellbeing, reflection, leisure and culture for us for 42 years this year, and of course recently it’s been even more significant to many of us as we sought some green space to exercise in during lockdown.
There are 42 artworks being installed in total at various locations with the first 21 already in place at Ferry Meadows and Woodston Reach. The next sets will go up at Thorpe Meadows and then Bluebell Wood next week.
Local people were invited to submit single words reflecting on wellbeing, nature and wildlife, parks and greenspaces, friends and family, isolation, community or grief and remembrance. The words were collected and assigned to various local artists to respond to through poetry, painting, drawing and photography to create a series of beautiful outdoor exhibitions.
Organisers told ESP that these are proving popular with some visitors discovering Woodston Reach for the first time in search of the artworks.
Louise, Nene Park Project Officer (Arts & Community) told ESP – “42 Words is our way of collecting the shared experiences of our community during lockdown and responding creatively to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event through art.
“We wanted to support local artists and involve Park visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities in creating new artworks for the Park.
“We received over 100 words from visitors, school teachers, community workers, staff and volunteers with hopeful and reflective responses to the last four months.
“The artists have been challenged by the timescale of the project but have enjoyed the process and timescale and seeing their work exhibited in a different setting.
“The commission has come has at an important time for artists when a lot of their projects, performances and exhibitions have been cancelled or postponed and has meant we can continue our Art-In-The-Park programme.”
The artists involved include Lee Mason, Mark Grist, Prin Marshall, Clare Currie, Mark Grist, Charley Genever (poem), Stuart Payne, Malika Speaks, Katy Hawkins, Dom from Paper Rhino.
We think it’s a great idea, so, make sure you pop down there and take a look while enjoying all that this fabulous country park in Peterborough has to offer!
Follow their social media channels with #NenePark42Words @NeneParkPboro to find out more or visit www.nenepark.org.uk/about-us/about-the-trust/42words-artworks.
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