AN exciting community project could see the introduction of temporary and permanent art installations across the town.
The ‘Melksham Loves Art’ project is the idea of town councillor Hayley Spencer, who says the project will help enhance the town, and brighten up ‘run down’ or blank concrete areas.
The town councillor has proposed that murals, sculptures or other artistic mediums be used to enhance the town – and whilst the areas that will benefit from the art has yet to be decided, cllr Spencer has demonstrated how the project could work, with mock images of murals on buildings such as the toilet block in King George V park and the side of the Melksham Almhouses building on Bath Road.
Cllr Spencer told Melksham News, “I’m really excited to get this project off the ground soon!”
In her proposal to the town council, cllr Spencer said, “The Covid crisis has made it clear that there are some aspects of our economy and country that do not value the arts in a way that it should.
“The arts and culture industry contributes £10.8 billion to the UK economy, and I believe that Melksham can do more to show how much art can be a part of all our lives and enrich our communities, provide inspiration to so many, and enliven our town.
“Art has specific benefits to health and well-being; deliberate public artwork has been proven to reduce vandalism and graffiti and enhance mood and footfall to specific areas.
“Melksham has many spaces that look run down, or concrete areas that are out of place in greener areas that could benefit from some creative blending!”
At this month’s community development committee meeting, town councillors agreed to back the project.
The council will research suitable locations in the town, community support, and artists that could be commissioned.
They also agreed to ringfence funding for the project and to consider further annual funding for local community art projects each year for at least the next five years.
Pictures: Examples of what could be achieved by the ‘Melksham Loves Art’ project, by Chailey Spencer.
