Appendix Diii
Notes from the Arts Trail meeting held on Tuesday 1st August at 9.30am
in the Mayor’s Parlour
Present: Councillors Ms S Barlow, Dr J Buckley, J Gittins, Mrs K Hurst-Knight, E Marshall
Anne Wilson, Town Clerk
R Davies, I Wellings, Ms L McCoy, Mrs E Summers, P Summers,
Ms C Jackson, B Davies, Ms L Welsby
Apologies: Councillors R Fox, Mrs H Howell, Mrs S Stevens, Mrs C Whittle
C Garside, Ms M Addison, B Davies, Mrs C Brown, Mrs S Themans, Mrs C Fox
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Town Clerk welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everybody for their enthusiasm. One by one, those present introduced themselves and who they were representing.
2. Election of Chairman
It was proposed by Councillor J Gittins and seconded by Councillor Mrs K
Hurst-Knight that Councillor Dr J Buckley be elected as Chairman.
3. Election of Vice Chairman
It was proposed by Councillor Ms S Barlow and seconded by Councillor Mrs K
Hurst-Knight that Councillor Ms S Barlow be elected as Vice Chairman.
4. Project overview of Wolves in Wolves
Attendees watched a video of the Wolves in Wolves project where we could see that it was essential that there was a theme that meant something to the town as a recognised trait and shape and look at the different size and colours. Different groups and organisations had used the wolves to promote themselves, whether it was outside their own building or was sponsored by them which publicised they were available. In looking through community sponsorship, community engagement, artists promotion through communication, each of the wolves have a QR code on which has a hidden letter and a bit about the artist and/or location and historic value. The hidden letter trail enabled a competition to be run and also gave the organisers some idea of where the people looking came from as a postcode was required to gain entry. Julia pointed out the large and heavy plinth the wolves were on. She said she hoped that it was manageable and on a much smaller scale and less expensive in Bridgnorth. In some towns, the sculptures are only there for one season but it was intended within Bridgnorth to have something that could carry on year after year and stored over the winter months. Both Birmingham and Wolverhampton auction theirs off for charity to recoup some of the costs and the remainder went to charity.
A company in Kidderminster was where the Wolves were made and they had offered those present a tour of the factory. It was thought that the fibreglass statues should last up to 20 years. It was noted that the Wolves sculptures gave their own interpretations and were all painted differently in colours and decorated.
It was pointed out there are sculptures of different shapes and sizes to represent whatever it was next to and the trail dictates it. They are all individually commissioned pieces.
5. Ideas for Bridgnorth
It was thought that it was an ideal project for the town but needed to be understood hard and fast in the town to have a lasting benefit and you could roll it out year on year. It was essential that those present thought about what they wanted to achieve from the project to assist with the promotion within the town and the benefit of the sponsorship.
The first theme suggested were the first steam made locomotive in 1808 although it was felt the train was male orientated by some people, perhaps Bridgnorth Lions or the town crest, possibly bridges, otters. It was something that needed to get local people totally on board in the bigger picture going forward for the town to celebrate. Another suggestion was the engineering customs of the town. In Liverpool, they have merged two themes. It was felt that the trail had been a bit prescriptive in leaning towards an animal. The time frame dictates what the town could do. In forests around Shropshire, there was currently a ceramic doorknobs project which involves the community taking the time and longer to create places. It was essential that a workshop was held for local people so they had genuine ownership of a lasting project so it was worth investing the time to get it right first time and think about what the town of Bridgnorth would like. i.e. engagement with the locals.
There was no funding so the artists involved need to have as much information and the designs would be heavily painted. These would be done by hand by artists, schools, community groups with anti-graffiti glaze over the top. There would be a design competition during the time. It was noted that the Wolves project took 15 weeks to completion as only two wolves could be produced at one time.
It was suggested that a selection night for the designs be held; first night for the sponsorship and prizes for everyone’s favourite and then for it to be opened up to the public. There should be an online vote with a short list of no more than four or five choices and the town would go with whatever was a good and sensible design in terms of the sculpture itself.
It was agreed that the funding agencies would be applied to for community workshops and that the materials would be supplied as part of the sponsorship costs.
Councillor Mrs S Stevens had offered to lead on the businesses and go and visit each business to see about sponsorship. It was acknowledged that it would not cost as much as those in Wolverhampton as the size and scale would be scaled down.
The cost to produce the mould was dependent on cubic volume and therefore it was essential this was known before sponsorship packages could be put together. There was consideration of how themes would be chosen; it could be an online poll. It was acknowledged that the schools were on holiday and therefore a deadline extension of September be included. There would be a paper version for old people’s homes, U3A, a simple presentation made perhaps in the library or on the market.
Emails to school headteachers would happen during August warning them of engagement and we can start the process before the schools go back. It was noted that it would also be promoted online through Twitter and social media, noting that the Town Council would lead on this and anyone could then re-tweet or share Facebook pages.
It was agreed that the options of Northgate, trains, otters, lions, the bridge and another category would be open for judging to agree on the design. There would also be QR codes.
The Town Clerk would contact the Bridgnorth Journal and Radio Shropshire about doing articles in each. It was noted however the Working Group would have to accept the result of the votes.
Wolverhampton and Birmingham had a schools pack put together to enable the schools to follow the trail as a project within them. An arts award was a great part of a national programme and could link into other arts related awards individually, both in communications and in some ways to qualifications.
6. Timetable Project Plan
The timetable project plan, which was circulated at the meeting, would be attached to the minutes.
7. Identify Lead Contacts
In logistics, which include the design, shape, making of the statues, storage, sponsors, residents, shops, highways, licence to installation takes one month, location, and actually making them would be led by Councillor J Gittins and Mr R Davies.
Business sponsorship including funding, the total budget breakdown divided by the number of statues, concept, defining written contract and signing business/singles plus business, designing a logo etc.
The artists attending the meeting offered help the group to understand networks,
co-operatives and community. Artists remit – Shropshire artists will be a percentage of local artists in Bridgnorth who are committed so it needs to be at least 50% local artists. There can be a competition with one entry each with the best design selected both in the business community and awards for those who haven’t won.
Interested sponsors may be going out on paperwork and other information. There would be a brief, theme pack, first few confirmed sponsors sign a lease agreement initially and then the information could be circulated to artists by location i.e to help them with their designs if they are keen to be in a particular place or work with a particular company.
It was suggested that an event be held for the artists where the paperwork is given to them about what is expected and what they wanted to do.
Market and Communicationss – maps, QR code, branding of the name of the trail e.g. Wolves in Wolves relevant to Bridgnorth. The Town Clerk would also contact What’s What. Councillor Mrs K Hurst-Knight said that PromoFix would help with branding and sponsorship.
Community groups, schools, other groups, sponsors and their feedback i.e. involvement and location.
Logistics – Cllr J Gittins and Mr R Davies
Business – Mr R Davies, Councillor Mrs S Stevens, Ms L McCoy (Buy-from Shropshire)
Communications & Marketing – Councillor Mrs S Stevens, Sally Themans from Love Bridgnorth & Mrs A Wilson noting that all publicity would come out from the Town Council and could be re-tweeted or shared. The Town Clerk and Ms L McCoy from Buy-From Shropshire would communicate with the schools and community groups and Mr C Gwilt would be contacted about the local history of each location.
8. Date of Next Meeting
Monday 4th September at 6pm.
(SINCE THE MEETING THIS DATE HAS CHANGED)