*Newsflash!*

Artist Andy Scott to produce two sculptures for Uttoxeter

One of the UK’s leading public artists has been commissioned to design and build two major sculptures in Uttoxeter.

Andy Scott, and his project manager Caroline Scott (no relation), had been friends for over 20 years when they replied to a call for artists to submit ideas for the Uttoxeter Regeneration project.

Around £95,000 has been secured for the completion of two sculptures to be displayed on the roundabouts at either end of Town Meadows Way.

The sculptures, which will be based on a particular theme that represents the town, have been commissioned to create a ‘point of arrival’ into the town.

Forty people applied from across the country, but Andy Scott was quickly identified as the stand-out candidate.

Paul Challacombe, Community Arts Officer for East Staffordshire, told StaffsLive: “We wanted to have a piece of art that is recognisable to people driving past, but it is the quality of the work that is most important.

“The history of work Andy has done is fantastic and his enthusiasm is really good. This project started in the summer last year, but it’s still early doors.”

But before he starts on his work Andy decided to give the residents of Uttoxeter the chance to influence the design.

A stand was set up in Uttoxeter’s market place displaying examples of Andy’s previous public art work, with questionnaires for locals to share their views.

Caroline Scott, Project Manager of ‘Andy Scott Public Art, said : “We’ve been trying to glean nuggets of information from the locals about Uttoxeter, so there is more to it than the information we could have simply found online.

“This is a process and it is developmental. People read things in very interesting ways.
“We want to create an atmosphere where the piece does not come from out of nowhere. The people who have engaged with us will feel connected to the sculpture.”

Andy and Caroline are planning to get schoolchildren and youth groups involved.

Artists will be doing workshops to help young people in the area relate to the sculptures, and Andy is planning to take a local youth group to his studio in Scotland so they can witness first hand the process of the sculpture being made.

Displays of Andy’s work are now showing at the Uttoxeter CSC, Library, Town Hall and Heritage Centre, and those who wish to express their views can download a questionnaire here: http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/


*Produced with Leanne Kirtley

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