Somerset artists have been answering the call to submit ideas for a unique public artwork, destined for Shepton Mallet, before the November 4th deadline.

Expressions of Interest have been winging their way to Mendip District Council who announced earlier this month plans to commission a high-quality, long-lasting piece in the popular market town.

The Council will install the winning design on Mendip land along the multi-user path which runs through Shepton and forms part of the Strawberry Line.

The piece will mark the contribution communities made in response to the COVID pandemic, and will acknowledge the importance walking, cycling and other active travel, had on people's lives during the lockdowns.

And it will also be a legacy piece, as the District Council will cease to function from next spring. On April 1st 2023 all four District Councils in Somerset and the County Council will become a unitary authority – a new Somerset Council.

A maximum of three artists will be invited to develop proposals for the site. A payment of £300 will be made to each artist to cover expenses of working to full submission.

A £5,000 contribution from the Council's Creative Mendip fund has been matched by a local (anonymous) charitable foundation, giving a total budget of £10,000 to the scheme. Up to £1,000 will be offered to cover installation costs.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest, is 4th November 2022. The Creative Mendip and charitable match funding must be committed by 31st December 2022, although the project can run into 2023.

Mendip District Council agreed a Creative Mendip fund for the financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23 to promote the arts and creative industries in the district.

Interested? Please note the deadline is 4th November 2022.

You'll find full information on our website: Mendip launches public art commission. Artists are asked to read the brief in the first instance HERE.

Contact [email protected] for any queries. Alternatively, call 07747 760076.