‘You Are Important’ art project soon to appear in Wisbech town centre

A Fenland town centre is set to become a kind of art gallery as local artist Tim Mann launches a new project that will envelop the whole town.

Artist Tim Mann will be working with local and national artists, musicians, and poets to create an exciting new project which will see Wisbech town centre slowly transformed into an arts installation over the coming months.

‘You Are Important’ follows on from one of Tim’s previous projects in the town. ‘Crowded Room Wisbech’ saw more than 10,000 members of the community participate in this large-scale work of art and every person who took part was told that they were important.

As we begin to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, Tim and the Blackfield Creatives team plan to develop this concept further by developing the ‘You Are Important’ theme which will appear in premises and open/public spaces across the town centre.

Artists will work with the community to create a series of artworks such as poetry, sculpture,

murals and images which will be located around the town centre. They will also be running a series of workshops and discussion groups to encourage more people to become creative and take part in cultural experiences.

Tim said “I am delighted to be working with a great team of artists to develop and deliver this project with the community.

"These artworks will be created using a range of contemporary art practices and will appear, or be performed, across Wisbech town centre, providing a unique and positive experience for everyone who views them. I can’t wait for Wisbech to become a vibrant and immersive living installation”.

Kevin Smith, centre manager of the Horsefair Shopping Centre, said: “I’m very pleased to be involved with this exciting town centre project along with the opportunities this can provide for increasing footfall, community engagement and highlighting the work of local artists.”

Terry Jordan, clerk for Wisbech Town Council added: “Wisbech Town Council is delighted to support this latest project being delivered by Tim Mann and the Blackfield Creatives team in Wisbech. The council shares their ambition to bring the town centre to life through different cultural experiences and are keen to see how the project develops over the coming months. The Council wants to see more people enjoying everything that Wisbech has to offer and this is a great way to bring people into the town”

Fenland has been identified by the Arts Council as a ‘priority place’ for the development of arts and culture and it is hoped that this project will help Wisbech lead the way.

This project is being supported and funded by Arts Council England, Fenland District Council, Wisbech Town Council, the Horsefair Shopping Centre, Clarion Futures and Blackfield Creatives.