Envisioning a Greener Piccadilly: Ideas for a Sustainable Future
Spark, a creative community venue in the city centre of York, are hosting an art exhibition on the weekend of 31st August, asking local artists to reimagine a greener Piccadilly and to create a more sustainable city centre. Based on the success of last year, the event aims to cultivate community engagement and start a dialogue about how the neighbourhood can evolve to better serve both current residents and future generations.
Exhibition Details:
- Date: Saturday 31 August – Sunday 1 September
- Time: 12pm - 10pm
- Location: Upstairs SHOW space at Spark
- Entry: FREE. Spark invites everyone to attend the exhibition.
This year's exhibition builds on the success of last year's competition held at Spark, where participants imagined York in 100 years and created a time capsule for the people of York in 2050, aligning with the UK’s net-zero target. The time capsule is currently stored at the University of York’s Borthwick Institute and is officially registered with the Time Capsule Society in Atlanta.
Spark want to curate creativity and encourage visionary ideas for a more sustainable central street in York, especially in light of the significant developmental changes currently underway. 16 local artists have entered, showcasing a diverse range of concepts - from lush green spaces teeming with wildlife to socially-minded community areas and cutting-edge eco-tech solutions. Various mediums will be showcased including watercolour, acrylics, lino print, digital art, and mixed-media collages using natural and recycled materials. Submissions were made in two age categories: under 15 and 15+, highlighting collaborative efforts between parents and children, as well as contributions from artists across the region, including Leeds and Tadcaster. The entries were carefully evaluated by an expert panel composed of Spark's resident artists, including Leon François Dumont, Jessica Mallorie, and Kat Olsson.
Leon François Dumont, Spark's resident artist and one of the judges for the competition, said: “The judging panel were thrilled to see such imaginative entries. The artworks ranged from full street plans for a greener city, to abstract shapes and colours representing the moods and sensations residents might experience in a future Piccadilly, interconnected with nature. We're excited for York to see them all exhibited together, to start conversations on a green makeover for the city.”
For more information, please visit https://www.sparkyork.org/events/art-exhibition.