The idea
‘Close to a walled-garden, there is a run-down inelegant building, which bears the sign ‘Visitors Centre’. With broken windows and locked doors, I doubt that this building has received many visitors in recent times. This presently unwelcoming building started life as a WW2 civil defence centre. It was established as a decontamination centre to be used in the event of a gas attack on the local population’
http://andylovemp.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-and-improved-pymmes-park-visitor.html
Our project is to transform the former meaning of this building as a WW2 civil defence centre/decontamination centre into an artistic landmark the community can be proud of and inspired by. Through participatory processes, with local groups, we will create a mural and bring the users of the park together. We will use this venture as a way to begin to heal the disconnect caused by the pandemic and bring something joyful and fresh to a space people have used during these difficult times.
What we'll deliver
- A Mural, covering entire front and sides of the Visitor Centre, lasting approx 5 years
- A series of workshops with local schools, care homes, and community groups to help create the design
- A two week painting process with local volunteers
- An online or facetoface celebration of the finished mural, inviting the public to come and reflect on the space
Why it's a great idea
Project Aims:
- One Google Review observes it to be a ‘Welcome green wedge in a very urban area’ we will create an entrance that is inviting and encourages people to come in.
- To make a building that has failed to remain active as a community centre on the inside to present a community art piece and point of social connection on the outside - with the hope that reopening the space to be used for community purposes inside will follow.
- To bring people together who wouldn’t normally connect, embracing intergenerational practice and reflecting the diversity of this community
- To allow residents ownership of the space they inhabit
- To inspire interest in artistic practice
- To encourage pride in the local area which is heavily littered and experiences a lot of fly-tipping which has been increasing over recent years
- To make this space which has experienced crime feel safe and welcoming
-To bring public art to an area of London that lacks any currently.
Steps to get it done
- Find participants - meetings with community groups including Enfield Voluntary Action & Friends of Pymmes Park
- Design/Creative Process with participants, workshops in the visitors centre and at local schools
- Sign off design proposal with Enfield Council
- Liaise - build team of volunteers for on site painting
- Rams
- Logistics
- People painting - comms
- Organising - work - who, what, when - schedules
- Paint Mural
- Marketing - process documentation (also carried out mid process)
- Evaluation (impact) also carried out mid process
