Shoppers set to be a work of art
THE creative arts department at West Lancashire College was recently in the Concourse Shopping Centre in Skelmersdale, taking photographs for a large scale community arts project.
The shopping centre has given students a fantastic opportunity to redesign the large hanging banners displayed at the front of the front atrium.
The photographs of members of the local community will form part of the banner designs, which have two major themes – urban/industrial and natural/ community.
Art and design tutor Aimee Smith said: “This is a terrific project for our students to be involved in and it is such a great gesture from the Concourse to ask for our involvement.
“It’s not every day you can say you have a hand in an artwork that will be so prominently displayed and be seen by so many people.”
A number of shoppers braved the studio lights to have their photographs taken by art lecturer Gary Owens, assisted by students Matt Hart and Machaela Irving.
The students from the art and design sector are developing the banner designs over the next few weeks ready for professional printing.
The West Lancashire College team are working closely with Jennifer Burnett, retail marketing manager for the Concourse Shopping Centre.
Jennifer said: “The hanging banner project with the West Lancashire College creative arts students came about as the banners in situ were looking very old and needed refreshing.
“It was a perfect opportunity to work with the college’s art department to give their students a client project for their enrichment and work experience part of their course.
“The brief was to create something that represents Skelmersdale, that is easily recognisable and that will be a permanent fixture in our centre, at the heart of the town and community.
“I am really impressed with the designs and the amount of work that has gone in to the banners so far and am excited to see them when they are ready to install.”
The banners will be ready to display in the summer and will hang over the main escalators in the front atrium.