Bassetlaw Pride Sculpture is an exciting opportunity for any member of the local LGBT+ community or allies to become involved in making celebratory sculptures. This opportunity has arisen after Harworth and Bircotes Pride’s organising committee put in a successful bid for Arts and Heritage Funding from Bassetlaw District Council as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The project is to create two sculptures. The first will be suitable to be part of the Parades at each of the three Pride events in Bassetlaw: Harworth and Bircotes, Worksop and Retford. Bassetlaw is unusual as it doesn’t have a city within its boundaries, so to have three Pride events in smaller towns is definitely a cause for celebration and the first sculpture will help support the Pride festivities.
The second sculpture will be a permanent piece of sculpture to be sited in Bassetlaw. The Chair of Harworth and Bircotes Pride explained: “We are delighted to have received this funding for the sculptures. It will be brilliant to see members of the local LGBT+ community having the opportunity to be involved in creating a permanent celebratory work. The Committee consider ourselves very fortunate to have local artist Kathryn Webley amongst our number. She will take the lead in creating something special for the whole of Bassetlaw to enjoy.”
Kathryn will be starting the project by arranging initial meetings in local cafes; aiming for an informal way of gathering people’s ideas and interests. You are invited to these meetings:
- Harworth and Bircotes: Café 81, DN11 8JN on Saturday 13th January, 10.00am to 11.00am
- Worksop: Café in Worksop Library, S80 2BP on Saturday 13th January, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
- Retford: Leaky Teacup, DN22 7UX on Sunday 14th January, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
“Part of the project is to use the nature and industrial heritage of Bassetlaw as inspiration,” explained Kathryn. “We have some great places to visit; just look at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve or the Chesterfield Canal, for example. Being in nature is a wonderful, inspirational space in which to share ideas, thoughts and feelings. Nature will give us the framework and initial themes for the sculptures.”
Kathryn is also intending for each person taking part to make their own section of the public art sculpture. ”This way,” she said, “The final sculpture will be truly representative of Bassetlaw’s LGBT+ community.”
If you are interested in being involved email bassetlawpridesculpture@outlook.com to let the organisers know you’re attending a meeting. You don’t need to have any previous experience in art, just your enthusiasm to be involved.