• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Friday December 16 2022
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Developers Acorn Property Group and Galliard Homes unite to provide children with platform for artistic talent

Developers Acorn Property Group and Galliard Homes have joined forces with a community group in Bristol to allow artistic school children to showcase their talents on a new regeneration site.

The developers of award-winning housing scheme Brooks Dye Works in St Werburgh’s, have come together with the team at St Paul’s Carnival to unveil artwork created by local artist Emma J Holloway, also known as Urban Butterfly, with pupils of St Werburgh’s Primary School in Bristol.

The project kicked off with a fun-filled art workshop led by Urban Butterfly with two classes from St Werburgh’s primary. Children were tasked with visualising and communicating their thoughts on the history and vibrancy of the area, through to the new homes, public square, and nature. The children then used collage and printmaking to create the final work.

Robin Squire, regional managing director at Acorn Property Group’s Bristol office, said: “The redevelopment of Brooks Dye Works expands the public area, with improved pedestrian access to the park by reopening routes which had been lost since the 1950s.

“Throughout the development process we’ve tried to keep the environment on site as inviting as the new homes we are delivering. So, with the help of St Paul’s Carnival, Urban Butterfly and St Werburgh’s pupils it felt like a perfect opportunity to deliver a piece of community art.”

George Baffoe-Djan, head of Galliard Western Division, added, “Centred around the iconic landmark chimney, Brooks Dye Works is a key regeneration site in St Werburgh’s. It’s been great to work with St Paul’s Carnival, St Werburgh’s primary and artist Urban Butterfly to bring this project to life for a community with a distinct creative scene, eclectic mix of independent businesses and a strong focus on the local environment.”

Designed to reflect the history of the former dye works and celebrate life in the local community, the art project is displayed across hoardings on site.

LaToyah McAllister-Jones, executive director of St Paul’s Carnival, said, “We have loved being involved in this project. As a cultural heritage organisation, we wanted to support local children to explore how communities change and evolve but leave behind their legacy; the Brooks Dye Works site, with its glorious chimney, is a great example of legacy and heritage.”

Emma said: “It was great fun to work with Year 3 students from St Werburgh’s Primary School on this project. They were super enthusiastic and enjoyed experimenting with mixed media in response to learning about the history of the Brooks Dye Works and some of the unique features of the new housing development. The best part was the children’s excited response to seeing their own work enlarged and installed on the site. Very empowering for them, something they’re obviously proud of and will remember for a long time to come.”

Helen Faulkner, headteacher at St Werburgh’s primary, said: “The students absolutely loved the workshop. It was fantastic for them to visit the site and see the work they had created at such a large scale; it was a really proud moment. We are pleased they could be involved in an exciting art project.”

Brooks Dye Works is a development of 113 houses and apartments in St Werburgh’s by Acorn Property Group in conjunction with Galliard Homes. The former Brooks Laundry dates back to the 19th century when the site was used for industrial units by Brooks Dyers and Cleaners.

Extending from the new pedestrian routes to Mina Road Park will be the new Alfred Brooks Square, named after the founder of the historic dye works and a wildflower planting area which acts as a flood alleviation bowl to improve the natural eco-system.

Pictured from left: LaToyah McAllister-Jones, executive director of St Pauls Carnival, George Baffoe-Djan, head of Galliard Western Division, Emma J Holloway (Urban Butterfly), Robin Squire, regional managing director at Acorn Property Group’s Bristol office, Karen Haines, Y3 Class Teacher at St Werburgh’s Primary School, Helen Faulkner, headteacher at St Werburgh’s Primary School and Cassie Perkins, Acorn Property senior marketing coordinator with Year Three pupils Rodena, Rosa, Abdullah and Schow