News

Seven artists come together to work on new mental health unit in Bristol

From left to right: Secure Services Artists:
Jeremy Lord, Kate Munro, Barry Mason, Marion Brandis, Martin Donlin, Susan Kinley, Kay Aplin

An induction day was held at Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol, on Tuesday 21st September 2004 to introduce seven newly commissioned artists to staff and service users of the Fromeside Clinic.

The seven artists, who came from Sussex, Wales, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire have been selected to create artworks for the new building currently being developed on the Blackberry Hill Hospital site to house the medium secure service, which is expanding from 27 to 80 beds. They will be working closely with service users and staff to develop designs for artworks, which will include a kinetic sculpture, water feature, courtyard sculptures, and glazing designs.  The building and artworks will be complete by October 2005.

The induction day brought the artists together to meet each other and enabled them to learn as much as possible about all aspects of the project before going away to start work on their draft designs.

The day was packed with information and the artists found it useful to meet with staff members representing different aspects of the project.  Sessions were delivered by staff from AWP and Ryhurst about the new developments and the progress of the building work; by ward staff about daily life on the wards; occupational and arts' therapists talked about their roles and a service user liaison worker spoke about service users and how best to engage and involve them in the project.

Details of practical things like security passes, site information and health and safety were covered as well as good practice in how to deliver consultation sessions, document and evaluate work in progress and who to turn to for support.

Each artist went away with a useful pack of information and handouts which they can refer to whilst working on the project.

The induction day was organised by Willis Newson who will be holding further induction days at Barrow Hospital and in Weston-Super-Mare for the artists selected for the next wave of commissions for Callington Road and North Somerset.

Also see Medium Secure Services Entrance Glazing - Martin Donlin