Work has started on a new community art project at Elmhurst Court in Gorleston-on-Sea.
Local housing provider Orbit, successfully applied for Arts Council England funding in order to work with local residents and street artists Reprezent Project to design and create a series of murals for its Better Days community hub.
The former scout hut on Amethyst Close has recently been transformed by Orbit into a new ‘Better Days’ Community Hub where people can access free face to face support on a range of issues such as managing finances, health and wellbeing, employability and skills.
The artwork will be produced directly on the outside of 20 metres of wooden fence that encloses the hub’s garden, as well as further artboards for inside the garden to create an outdoor gallery and lounge area. The design for the artwork is being created through workshops with local residents and are being inspired by the history and diversity of the local area. Two artworks for inside the garden are already underway which incorporate the words ‘Elmhurst’ and ‘Community’ into the design.
Paul Eardley, Place Area Lead for Orbit commented: “After working with local volunteers to transform the former Scout Hut into a valuable resource for residents, we wanted to create an artwork to celebrate the community. It’s been fantastic to work with Reprezent to work with us and local residents to bring this celebration to life. We look forward to unveiling the finished project later this year.”
Ruben Cruz, Chairman from Reprezent Project added: “This project provides us an amazing way to work with the local residents and Gorleston community, it has been a great opportunity to find out more about Elmhurst Court heritage and Orbit’s role in the community. We are very pleased to collaborate together with a housing association and provide this unique opportunity to the community. A big thank you to Arts Council England for their support.”
The hub which was officially opened by the Mayor of Great Yarmouth in October, hosts sessions by local organisations including Cliff Park Community Church Wellbeing Group and Camerados, an organisation which hosts ‘public living rooms’ across the country to encourage social interaction. A ‘playdate’ session also takes place every Friday morning for children aged 5 and under.
For more information about Orbit’s Better Days programme visit: www.orbitcustomerhub.org.uk/help-support/