A short film telling the story of the Riverside Walkway Revitalised project is available to view to bring attention to this wonderful riverside wellbeing space made accessible through art.
The film can be viewed on the Sidmouth School of Art project page Riverside Walkway Revitalised | Sidmouth School Of Art or on YouTube.
The new walkway has had new railings, bat-friendly lighting, new benches and planters, new wayfinding signage, a brass rubbing trail and provides a new outdoor gallery exploring historic and contemporary themes. The new gallery features an introductory board and 11 artboards – each telling a story from the Triassic to today. The stories are highlighted through art and printmaking, woven together through graphic design and each has a QR code to find out more detailed information.
The walkway is the result of nearly two years of work and a huge amount of community participation led by Artist Printmaker, Emma Molony. Emma, who led a series of printmaking workshops with local people, said: "I really didn’t want to do a project where it’s one artist creating kind of a one visual response. I really love the way my printmaking has been mixed with the work that lots of other people have made.”
Richard Foord, local MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, said: “What I’m really struck by is how the collaboration is really giving people a sense of ownership. The artists involved have engaged really well with the local community and the product, the outputs - are just really beautiful to see.”
MP Foord, has been vocal in helping to protect the environment and features in the film.
The project was informed by special advisers including Ed Dolphin, Sid Valley Biodiversity Group, with history and heritage information provided by Nigel Hyman, Sid Vale Association and ex-Curator of Sidmouth Museum.
All of the creative art boards and full details about the project, its development, further information about the themes: River Sid, history of the Ham, ancient coastline, heritage and biodiversity as well as funders, collaborators and photos can be found here Riverside Walkway Revitalised | Sidmouth School Of Art.
Louise Cole, Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub Director added: "We are grateful for all the input, support and knowledge that has shaped this project. From the outset we wanted to use the power of art and participation to communicate. We hope now that the film, with its positive environmental messages, will be shared widely and inspire everyone to take a stroll along the walkway to enjoy the nature, and for the artwork and stories to connect with people of all ages.”
Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub and Sidmouth School of Art, working in partnership have led this project as part of our Sidmouth Makes Art (SMArt) project. SMArt consists of 7 key art initiatives across Sidmouth - a two-year public art project to develop Sidmouth people as the artists and Sidmouth as the artwork. Connecting people with their own creativity, with each other and with the space around us.