LONDON TUBE ARTIST DELIGHTED TO BRIGHTEN UP PROM WITH SPLASH OF PATTERN AND COLOUR

Vibrant and dynamic  - the swirling patterns and colours on the shutters of the historic cafe

A SCHEME is underway to bring brightness and colour to a neglected part of  Cleethorpes seafront. For many years, the north prom, beyond the pier, has been austere and unwelcoming, but it is hoped that a series of artwork projects over the coming months will inject much-needed sparkle and vibrancy. First off is the dynamic splash of colour and pattern that has been added to shutters at the popular Brown's cafe. The spruce-up project is being described by North East Lincolnshire Council as the start of work on  the north prom’s "very own external art gallery." Here is what else NELC has to say about its imaginative initiative.

The total area taken up by shutters is a greater space than the ceiling of the Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel!

The hope is that the owners of the other buildings - there are 26 of them - will  now get on board to create a display of art that will entice people to walk down the prom in the evenings, out of hours and during the off-peak season.

As the project progresses, it is also the intention to introduce a host of different artists.

When art project consultants Hazel Colquhoun and Andrew Knight were commissioned, they first visited during the winter when all the shutters were down.

 It was then that the idea was born.

“When Andrew and I visited, we were struck by the area’s natural beauty and we were keen to do something different,"says Hazel.

"What you  tend to find on such shutters is urban art, and we thought it would be amazing to have a contemporary art design.” 

With the above in mind, they engaged the services of Belgium-born artist Jacqui Poncelet. 

Jacqui is one of the most established artists of her kind across Europe, having vast experience with work exhibited in some of the best-known galleries including projects with London’s Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

More importantly for this project, she thrives on the challenge of creating inventive and unusual art in public spaces - for example, her work has transformed the exterior cladding at Edgware tube station as part of the capital’s Art on the Underground project.

On her first ever visit to Cleethorpes, she was struck by the charm of this part of the resort.

Says Jacqui: "When people ask me why I wanted to get involved in this project, my answer is why not? 

"It was such a fabulous thing to do. I really loved the idea of working with shutters which will appear and disappear and attract different audiences at different times.

“This part of the resort is completely charming and part of a wonderful coastline. I am excited to return and see the work in place.” 

The project  is supported by the Coastal Communities Fund, North East Lincolnshire Council and CoastNEL which represents the private, cultural and third sectors. 

It is being managed by the council’s regeneration partner Engie.

North Prom traders or building owners interested in getting involved can contact Frances Hodson, of Hodsons Architects,  at  Frances@hodsonarchitects.com.

                                     

What next for the rest of the north prom?