ISLANDERS can help reimagine St Helier’s public spaces using their own creativity at drop-in clay-modelling workshops taking place at the Weighbridge pétanque pitch on Friday 28 Saturday 29 July.
The Earthworks project is the brainchild of London-based artist Jo Pearl, whose interest in the way members of the public can help create their own sense of community identity was fired by working with internationally acclaimed architectural practice Norman Foster and Partners.
Suitable for all ages, the workshops capitalise on the natural impulse to create, as Ms Pearl explained: ‘Nearly everyone has experienced the joy of playing with mud, clay or plasticine at some stage in their lives. Alongside the therapeutic advantages of play, a relaxed environment where conversations naturally flow offers great opportunities for generating ideas.’
Described as ‘a playful way to involve the public in a creative conversation’, the project has come to Jersey as part of the Public Voice: Common Ground initiative run by consultant Sasha Gibb that is transforming a number of public spaces in St Helier – including the Weighbridge – into pop-up parks that encourage reflection and relaxation in the heart of the busy town environment.
Mrs Gibb described the initiative as a social enterprise pilot project with the aim of improving town for its residents in a partnership between government, business and community. She hopes to hear from 10% of Jersey’s community regarding the aspirations and challenges facing public spaces in St Helier to help shape a public realm commission that embodies the voice of the community.
This week’s workshops at the Weighbridge help focus attention on the transformation of a number of public spaces in town by ‘greening’ them, as Mrs Gibb explained: ‘The Jersey Development Company were one of the 47 stakeholders interviewed for the initial research last year. Lee Henry and the JDC team have been enormously supportive from the start of the partnership, the pilot and our mission to improve our public spaces for people.
‘JDC’s investment and vision has enabled us to bring Jo Pearl to Jersey, as well as turning part of the pétanque pitch into a multi-use public park. The pilot is the result of many partners working together across sectors. The park has also been made possible by design partners Antony Gibb Ltd, Romerils, Acorn, Grow with Mont à l’Abbé School, and the government’s economy and arts and culture teams. The grass will remain until early September and provide a much-needed green haven for our community.’
The workshops take place on Friday 28 July from 3pm to 7pm, and on Saturday from 10.30am until 1pm. As an incentive, the first 100 participants will receive complimentary ice cream, while Brass Souls are playing for tomorrow evening’s session starting at 5.45pm. Details of other events in the Public Voice: Common Ground project can be found online.
Meanwhile, Islanders can also contribute to the research leading to the public commission later this year by completing an online questionnaire.
