It’s a ‘steel’ - Sculptures are part of free art show
Sculptures arrive from Arts Bank at the old boatyard...organiser Ken Wood views the creations. 114956a Picture Richard Ponter
SCARBOROUGH’S newest landmark is set to take centre stage as part of a weekend-long celebration of the towns artistic elite.
Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers will be one of five sculptures from acclaimed artist Ray Lonsdale on display at the three-day festival at the towns Old Boatyard in Sandside.
The statue, acquired on behalf of Scarborough by resident Maureen Robinson, will be moved from its current home in the North Bay especially for the event, which kicks off tonight with a special preview, before opening up to the public until Sunday.
There will be displays and stands from some of the 23 galleries across the borough, as well as a competition for students, which will be judged by critically acclaimed artist Clive Head.
The festival has the backing of Welcome to Yorkshire area director, Janet Deacon, who believes it will be another shot in the arm for tourism.
“It’s really encouraging to see Scarborough’s art community pulling together and I’m thrilled the ‘Freddie’ sculpture, which will now in remain in the town thanks to the amazing generosity of Mrs Robinson, will be at the festival.
“Hundreds of people have already been photographed with this wonderful sculpture and through social media those images have been seen around the world, which is an incredible advert for Scarborough.”
ArtsBank Gallery manager Debbie Cockerill, who has helped bring ‘Freddie’ to Scarborough added: “It’s a great showcase for talent, and there’s no denying that Scarborough is one of the best places in the country for art at the moment, along with other towns in the North.
“I think it can be attributed to the coastline and scenery, it’s just inspirational.”
Festival organiser Ken Wood, who is based at The Arts Workshops in Crown Arcade, Albion Road, said: “The main idea of the festival is to showcase the breadth of artistic talent we have in the Scarborough area and bring together the town’s art community for one shared purpose.
“It’s shaping up to be a brilliant festival and I would encourage people from Scarborough and from further afield to pay us a visit.”
Entry is free, and there’s approximately 500 hundred free car-parking spaces on Marine Drive for visitors.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Scarborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
local?
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 10:17 AMRe. #4 what is this Scarborian obsession with having less of everything?! Its so annoying.
insidertrader
Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 12:45 PMThanks Ken for a really great evening the like of which we should have much more of. Freddie returns to his new homelocation on Monday 12th to hopefully continue to be a positive draw to the town for years to come. Given its location it has the chance to be 'adopted' by the younger people using the area which would be a poignant legacy to Freddie's memory. I had the privilege of meeting Mrs Robinson last night, a person who truly has the towns interests at heart. Many thanks for your generosity to the town; Jacki Wilby who picked up the same idea of keeping this future 'icon' in the town; and Rowena Marsden without who's quick thinking in accepting the offer of hosting these pieces of artwork in the Borough, none of this would have happened. Ray Lonsdale is a real artist with vision, using his engineering skills to turn small pieces of steel into these stunning pieces of work. His other major piece of work that was sited on Whitby's pier will be placed in Filey until January and then moved to Scarborough;s harbour.
badger464
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 11:37 PMThe guy on the bench one is brilliant, the fact that he appeared just before rememberance day was really quite poignant, i don't think we need any more as it would reduce the impact of freddie but having a temporary show is fine.
A different bloke in the pub
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 05:58 PMThe "towns (sic) artistic elite" - clearly the schoolboy or girl who wrote this article isn't one of them.
TSnf
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 05:10 PMAt least these sculptures are recognisable as what they are, not like many today which are nothing more than heaps of junk, masquerading as "works of art"!
Animalhouse
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 03:46 PMWhen is Freddie being put back on the North side where he now belongs?
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.