Arun’s innovative youth-led public art programme continues in Aldingbourne

Building from the success of a pilot scheme in Angmering village in 2020/21, Artswork, in partnership with Arun District Council and Aldingbourne Parish Council, is delighted to have commissioned public artist Richard Janes to work with young people and the community on a new piece of public art for their parish.

This commission follows the successful creation of a public sculpture with children and young people in Angmering, Rainbow and Sunflower Dog (pictured right), that was unveiled in November 2021.

After a competitive recruitment process, Richard Janes has been appointed to work alongside children and young people from schools including Aldingbourne and Barnham primaries and Ormiston Six Villages Academy to explore the design and creation of a new piece of art for the parish.

Richard has been working as a sculptor since 1994 and his work has been exhibited at Tate Britain and featured in the Sunday Times. He has extensive experience working with communities, school pupils and students from Reception to Adult further education, residents, voluntary groups and clubs.

Arun Inspires Programme Manager Beccy East writes:

“Richard’s brilliant experience facilitating a whole host of people’s creativity into his sculptures makes us feel really excited about the ways he can work meaningfully with children and young people in Aldingbourne to make a piece of art that the whole community can own and feel proud of.”    

Parish Councillor Michelle Harbord stated “The Parish Council are really excited to be involved in this project. We hope the artwork will reflect the heritage and character of Aldingbourne, and be a space for the community to enjoy, are inspired, and brings people together.”

Councillor Jacky Pendleton, Deputy Leader of Arun District Council and Chair of the Residential and Wellbeing Services Committee, said:

“We had such a positive response to the Sunflower Dog & Rainbow Bench designed by students from the Angmering School along with artist Tim Ward, so I’m delighted that the Council is helping to fund a second piece of public art for the District. I’m sure the project will be just as successful and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished piece.”

The project aims to bring together training in creative art, design and engineering using STEAM principles (which puts the ‘A’rt in to STEM subjects), offering students an unrivalled opportunity to explore how creativity can inform practical processes in the real world.

Over the coming term, local children and young people will be supported to explore the processes of design from idea to practical creation, and the community will be able to get involved through consultation and a public vote on the final design to form the basis of Janes’ finished sculpture.

This will be unveiled in the Parish in Autumn 2022.

The project is part of Arun Inspires, a 3-year programme of cultural investment transforming the life chances of children and young people across the District of Arun, led by Artswork. Delivered in partnership with Arun District Council, it seeks to invest in new high-quality cultural opportunities for Arun’s children and young people. The project is funded by Artswork with support from Arun District Council using Section 106 funding from the nearby Nyton Road development. 

Image credit: Harry Holder

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