This project, supported with funding from Arts Council England, invites communities to explore, engage with and re-imagine the Peterborough Sculpture Collection.

We have been running a programme of facilitated conversations and activities throughout 2022 to explore the stories, artists, contemporary relevance and care of the Sculpture Collection from diverse perspectives via community, disability and faith groups, young people, residents, businesses, creatives & art conservators. The conversations will inform new physical and digital tools, events and maintenance, increasing community engagement and ownership all helping to ensure the sculpture collection's long-term sustainability.

Nene Park Trust took over stewardship of the The Peterborough Sculpture Collection in 2020. The collection consists of 27 sculptures, including many nationally important pieces, many of which are in need of urgent repair. Through Collection Conversations with artists, conservators & curators, we will understand the existing collection, its context and the short- & long-term conservation requirements, carrying out urgent repair and maintenance. This project will also develop a refreshed vision for the collection's future.

Through Collection Conversations we have hosted a series of artist-led discussions and creative workshops with residents, young people, community & disability groups, businesses, councillors, and creatives to explore the collection and the stories it could tell to develop a collective strategic vision. We will develop a digital on-line visual conversation by documenting the Collection and creating
online activities.

During the schools holidays at Easter 2022 families took part in our Talking Sculptures workshops, learning about the Peterborough Arch by Lee Grandjean and Cormorant by Elizabeth Cooke sculptures, and creating our own imaginative sculptures.  In May, local Artist Tony Nero led a Walk & Draw workshop at Thorpe Meadows where we explored the sculpture trail and tried out different drawing techniques - with some great results.

Over the next few months, artists Madiha Ashiq, Tom Fox and Becky Owen Fisher, Mark Grist and Madhu Manipatruni will be leading creative workshops for local community groups to get creative, explore and learn more about the sculptures. 

Through this project we have launched the Nene Park Art Club. The monthly workshops provide young people aged 14 to 19 to get creative, explore the Park and work with local artists. The group have enjoyed working with local artists and so far, have created colourful collages with Madiha Ashiq, Beautiful block prints with Madhu Manipatruni and intricate 3D sculptures and patterns with Rosannah Croft, inspired by the Pyramid Sculpture by John Maine.  

We have also created a new Sculpture Trail Guide and Map, designed by local creative cooperative Paper Rhino which contains an illustrated map and information on the artworks along the trail. This is available to download here and paper copies are available at the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows. 

A new Family Activity Sheet for the Sculpture Trail is also available to download, designed by artist Madiha Ashiq.

We have produced a new video tour of the Sculpture Trail, which can be viewed below:

Please take a look at these five short animations of different artists talking about their favourite sculptures. The animations have been produced by artist Aïcha El Beloui.