Local people are being encouraged to help inspire the creation of a brand new piece of public art for South Tyneside at a drop-in session taking place next week (Tuesday).
Artist Alison Unsworth is calling for images, photographs or postcards of South Shields seafront to help her create a panoramic drawing showing a 360-degree continuous landscape of the seafront, to be presented in a digital video.
The artwork will form part of the £1million Sea Change improvements to the Foreshore, which also includes upgrading the lighting and road improvements.
Alison will be at the Central Library in South Shields, between 11am and 4pm on Tuesday 24th November, to copy images brought in by members of the public. The images can be old or recent and be of anything on the beach or promenade, such as the view, the buildings, people, families, friends - in fact, everything that holds memories or depicts the area.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Culture and Wellbeing, said: "We are really excited about this project and we chose Alison for her great track record and interpretation ideas.
"We're delighted with the response so far with many people getting in touch and showing her their photos. But we hope that many more will take the opportunity to share their precious memories. The more images Alison gets, the more she will have to work from and use as inspiration to create a really special piece of art for everyone to enjoy."
A drop in event is also taking place at the Central Library on Monday 7th December from 11am until 3.30pm.
Alison will also be at the Arts & Crafts Market at the Market Square between 9.30am and 4pm on Thursday 3, December, with a display explaining more about the project.
Anyone who has any images that they are happy to contribute to the project but is unable to attend the drop in sessions, can take a digital copy of the original photograph and email it along with their name and contact details to promenade2010@googlemail.com
It is hoped that the images collected as part of this process will also be used as part of an exhibition to be held at The Customs House next year.
The location where the final projected video will show is yet to be finalised however the aim is to open it to as wide as audience as possible at or near the foreshore between July and October 2010.
For further information about the artwork project, contact Richard Barber, Cultural Development Officer on (0191) 424 7850 or email richard.barber@southtyneside.gov.uk
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