Hatfield town centre received another artistic boost today courtesy of creative local art students.
Creating more opportunities for the display of public art is a key part of the Hatfield 2030+ vision for the town. The council worked with the schools and college to give them a brief based on three themes:
· The memory of the past
· The interpretation of the present
· Desires for the future, exploring the impact that new technologies would have on the area.
The works are a mix of photographs, drawings and paintings.
The original additions follow the return of iconic sculpture, Pearl, during the White Lion Square transformation, and – together with the ‘Three Swimmers’ statue outside of the swim centre – makes Hatfield an expanding hub for art.
Councillor Bernard Sarson, Executive Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Partnerships, said:
“The regeneration of an area is about so much more than bricks and mortar. Providing a varied and interesting mix of arts and culture is one of the key parts of our regeneration vision for Hatfield, and we hope the new art work will act as a further draw for people to visit and spend time in the town.
“I’m hugely grateful to the students for their hard work; we’re all very impressed with the quality of what they’ve produced.”
Joelle Casotti, Deputy Head at Onslow St Audrey’s, said:
“Our students have worked really hard – and it shows! We’re really proud of what they’ve created and hope it boosts their confidence to have their work displayed in such a prominent town centre position, to be enjoyed by so many passersby.”
Elsewhere in the town, the demolition of Number 1 Town Centre is underway to prepare the site for new homes, shops and public spaces. A planning application for the redevelopment is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.