Call to local artists to help create artwork for Cardigan Hospital site
Wales & West Housing is calling for local artists to come up with ideas to create a piece of art as part of their redevelopment of Cardigan Hospital.
In the summer local contractors TRJ (Bettws) Ltd are due to start construction on the project, which will put the historic Priory House at the heart of a new development of energy-efficient apartments, offices, community café and a public riverside garden and walkways.
As part of the next phase of the development to build 34 apartments for rent for local people and new offices for its Group staff, Wales & West Housing (WWH) wants to commission a local artist to create a long-lasting artistic legacy for the site.
Cardigan Hospital CGI
The design of the apartments reflects the architecture of Priory House and the neighbouring Grade II-listed St Mary’s Church with a courtyard and cloistered walkways for residents where the chosen artwork could be installed.
Gareth Thomas, WWH’s Regional Development Manager for West Wales, said: “This is a great opportunity to work with a local artist, or artists, to create a bespoke piece of art that could reflect the history or complement our designs for the site.
“One idea would be to create a piece of work that could fit in with the archway design of the apartment block, but there is also wider scope to place art within the arches or within the area outside those arches. There are also other areas on Pont-Y-Cleifion or the corner entrance to the site itself which could also be used.
“Any of these areas could provide a canvas for some interpretive art. The artists might see other opportunities. We are open to as many ideas as possible and are not necessarily looking for an ‘exhibit’. It could be that the artwork is built into the scheme.
“The new development is planned to be very low-energy, cut reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce fuel poverty, so the artist may choose this as their inspiration. Or they could be inspired by the site’s rich history or location as a gateway to the town. We want artists to be as imaginative and creative as they can.”
“We are open to as many ideas as possible and are not necessarily looking for an ‘exhibit’. It could be that the artwork is built into the scheme.”
Gareth Thomas, Wales & West Housing Regional Development Manager for West Wales
“We are also open to suggestions for the type of material or medium. It could be paint, but it could equally be timber, metal, concrete, masonry, or other materials. The only thing we need to consider is the practicality and maintenance of the piece of work as it needs to be robust, long-lasting and maintenance-free and fit in with our construction schedule.”
“We will look at all the suggestions, draw up a shortlist of our preferred ideas and consult with planners at Ceredigion County Council before making our final decision.”
Interested artists should send an Expression of Interest (EoI) to gareth.thomas@wwha.co.uk and rhiannon.ling@wwha.co.uk by 9am Monday May 9.
The EoI should include an explanation of the idea including a timescale to create the work, approximate costs and fees and any requirements from WWH or the contractors to realise the commission.