ORGANISERS behind a new public sculpture for Wokingham are hoping the donations will come in more than just two by two. They’re hoping for thousands and thousands.
Earlier this year, Arts4Wokingham unveiled the winning commission for a new piece of art which will be installed at the Carnival Hub development.
Called The Arc, it will be created by Nicola Anthony, and is a metal text sculpture that will feature words relating to each of the 17 towns and parishes that comprise Wokingham borough, and follows on from a recent commission in the United States that was initiated by moviemaker Steven Spielberg – he unveiled her work at its launch.
The arches in the design will combine to offer a pathway into and out of the Carnival Hub, which will house leisure facilities including a swimming pool, a performance area, a gym, and a library.
The text will include braille as Ms Anthony is keen to ensure the work is inclusive.
Ms Anthony has already begun to run sessions in which she seeks to unearth how people feel about living in the area.
She’s keen to source emotions and observations about what Wokingham means to people, both now and in the future.
Her findings will form key parts of the text that will hallmark her work.
In February, when her commission was announced, she said: “I’m thrilled to be working on this, I think it’s going to be a very meaningful project,” she said.
“My role is to give voice to people, to make sure their voices are coming through accurately and are represented. It’s a big role of the arts actually. If I can do that through sculpture, it helps it become more relatable to people who might not be involved in the arts or visit a museum.
“Public sculpture has to be for everyone.”
To make The Arc possible, Arts4Wokingham is seeking sponsorship, grants and donations and has launched a campaign to raise £200,000.
As well as contributing to Wokingham’s most substantial and eye-catching public artwork to date, there’s an opportunity to engage personally with this project.
Anyone donating £200 or more will have their name displayed in the public arena for all to see.
The project team is currently looking at a variety of options which will allow the names of these donors to be recorded and highlighted as significant supporters and contributors to this campaign.
And smaller donations are being welcomed, too.
So far, The Wokingham Society, local company Flight Logistics and Wokingham Town Council have pledged significant sums to kick start the fundraising.
A spokesperson for Arts4Wokingham said: “If you’d like to align yourself, your family, your company, your group or your society with the creation and provision of what is already being talked about as Wokingham’s most distinctive and notable major new landmark work of art to date, do get in touch.
“You can donate now by visiting the Arts4Wokingham website at www.arts4wokingham.com or for more information you can email [email protected]”
Anyone wanting to join in the creation of the texts for the sculpture can send thoughts, stories and ideas via the group’s website, and clicking on ‘tell us your story’ under Community consultations.
For more details, log on to: www.arts4wokingham.com/community-consultations
