In 2009 Oldmeldrum successfully bid for a share of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund, securing £140,000 for a range of works in the town.
The bid included funding to develop a proposal that included a creative public art project to bring together the community in celebration of their home town, its history and aspirations for the future.
The project has been led by a Town Centre Working group comprising members of the community which, along with the local community council, selected artist Janet Mcewan to develop the artwork.
The project, titled ‘The Eternal Present: GNEISS GRANITE GABBRO’ is being supported by Aberdeenshire Council’s Arts Development Team, with input from the authority’s Infrastructure Services division.
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A graduate in sculpture and ceramics from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, and a resident in Deeside for 15 years, Janet has considerable experience of working as an artist in a variety of settings in the public realm, across the country.
Over a number of months the artist invited local people to share their knowledge, perceptions and feelings about Oldmeldrum through conversations, events and interventions.
Janet went on to develop ideas for a substantial artwork that linked local history, geology and industry, and the new landscaping of the square. The final piece aims to reflect the character and aspirations of the town, past, present and future.
Working group member Cllr John Loveday said: "This project represents an exciting stage in the regeneration of Oldmeldrum, and the art work has been developed carefully over time with community involvement at the heart of the scheme."
Artist Janet is producing a small publication to accompany the work and acknowledge the community’s contribution to the project.
Janet said: "The new artwork draws on the forms of three stone balls in particular; the three recorded finds of ancient stone balls in the Oldmeldrum locale – two in Bourtie and one on Barra Hill – and is made from locally sourced stone, Gneiss, Granite and Gabbro, from three local quarries.
"I am absolutely delighted that thanks to Aberdeenshire Council’s Museums Services, Oldmeldrum residents and school pupils will have the opportunity to see a display of these original stone balls, and a selection of geological specimens in Oldmeldrum Library, as the new artwork is installed."
(GK)
