Photo opportunity - 10am, Tuesday 29 June in the AbbeyGardensoutside the public toilet facilities. Cllr Terry Clements, St Edmundsbury Cabinet member for Leisure and Sport and Cllr Andrew Varley, Cabinet member for Arts and Culture, unveil a mosaic designed by Risbygate Arts, depicting images of the AbbeyGardens. They will be joined by Becky Worth and students from Risbygate Arts.
The AbbeyGardens in Bury St Edmunds has been the source of inspiration for a mosaic created by a group of adults and children from Risbygate Arts and St Edmundsbury Borough Council will receive the mosaic for display in the gardens on Tuesday 29 June.
The group of students from Risbygate Arts, working under the guidance of local artists Richard De Freston and Melanie Pittman of Artwheel, based their design on the KnotGarden in the AbbeyGardens. Each quarter of the mosaic reflects elements of local history and nature found in and around Bury St Edmunds, including plants and animals, architecture and historical references. The group visited several attractions such as the AbbeyGardens and Moyse’s HallMuseum, to research these references and come up with ideas. For example, the blue circle represents the River Lark flowing through the town.
Cllr Terry Clements, St Edmundsbury cabinet member for leisure and sport said:
“The inspiration that Risbygate Arts has found in and around Bury St Edmunds in crafting this mosaic is a reflection of the beauty, charm and variety that can be seen down every street. We are proud to display this wonderful mosaic in the AbbeyGardens so that everyone who comes to Bury can enjoy it.”
Becky Worth from Risbygate Arts adds:
“We’re all absolutely delighted that the mosaic is going up on display in the AbbeyGardens as that’s where the inspiration came from. The group wanted to capture and celebrate as many aspects as possible of the local heritage and beauty of Bury St Edmunds, which they have done brilliantly.”
The mosaic is 2 metres across and will be erected on the side wall of the award winning AbbeyGarden toilets and unveiled by Cllr Terry Clements and Cllr Andrew Varley at 10am on Tuesday 29 June. The mosaic was made from tiles kindly donated by Smith and Wareham Ltd tile merchants on Eastgate Street, Bury.
ENDS
Notes to editors
§ Risbygate Arts is a non-profit making community arts association serving Bury St Edmunds.
§ It provides participatory art workshops which are open to all regardless of age and experience.
§ Risbygate Arts is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more information please contact Becky Worth on 01284 767380.
§ The AbbeyGarden toilets can be easily found by taking the footpath next to Sworders Estate Agents to the left of the Abbey Gate.
§ Images attached are of students constructing the mosaic and the final mosaic design.
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 email maria.ethridge@stedsbc.gov.uk
