Annan History Town Group want to aid Annan’s transformation into a visitor destination.
And one priority identified from their blueprint document is an ‘art centrepiece’.
The group say the people of Annan will make all of the decisions on the creations and designs for the sculpture.
Currently the project is at a very early stage but Battery Street is the proposed location, although planning consent is still to be attained. If agreed, the artwork would be sited on the grass bank next to the Blue Bell beer garden.
Meanwhile, Thornhill sculptor and blacksmith Nate Robinson has been earmarked to help bring the idea to life.
He is well known for his work, which includes a 24-foot fork created for last year’s Spring Fling festival.
History Town development officer Gail McPhillips is overseeing the development of the artwork. She spoke to the Annandale Observer this week.
Gail said: “We are at the very early stages, we have not decided on what it’s going to look like or anything like that.
“The idea is that it connects the river to the town. The Tale of Two Bridges Group have donated some of the metal carnage to go into the centrepiece.
“The community can also make pieces to go into it. They will forge their own pieces.”
In its recent history Annan has had a controversial relationship with public pieces of art. The infamous haaf netter statue on Scott’s Street roundabout ended up headless, netless and was repositioned down by the shore where it has since been consumed by shrubs.
The History Town Group made no comment on this, and also said their project was not a sculpture, but instead a ‘public art centrepiece’.
Gail is now looking to form a group of up to 15 people to help play a key role in the project’s creative design. They will initially meet on Thursday August 22 and the group will comprise workers, group members and volunteer residents.
Gail said: “We are calling people together to
come and help create ideas.
“I think a lot of people will be behind this. It’s going to be really good for Annan.”
The initial meeting of the working group is scheduled for Thursday August 22, 6.30 pm until 8 pm in the function room at the Corner House Hotel.
*THE Tale of Two Bridges Group is one of the key partners for the project. They have donated selected pieces of metal from the Cuthbertson and Jubilee Bridges.
Nate plans to incorporate these into the centrepiece, along with new and recycled materials, including the community’s own forged pieces.
Gail and Nate will both be in attendance at Annan History Town’s fun day on August 11 at the Corner House Hotel from 1 pm to 4.30 pm. Those in attendance will be able to try their hand at forging. You can view some of Nate’s work online at natesforge.uk
