A key part of the Rombald’s Rocks: Keighley Sculpture Trail was ensuring that different people and communities felt they could contribute to the artworks. We wanted it to be community art in the true sense so directly approached a number of groups and asked if they would like to take part. 5 local groups then took part in workshops guided by an artist to decorate a sculpture.
The groups were as follows:
Hainworth Wood Community Centre
This community centre welcomes people of all ages from Keighley East, Hainworth Wood, Spring Bank and surrounding areas. When it came to decorating their Rombald’s Rock they welcomed a number of families and young people to come along and get creative.
The workshop was led by artist and creative facilitator, Ciara Sturgess, and the theme the group focused on what was important to them, having fun, learning and connecting with other people.
To see their fabulous sculpture, “Roohoo”, do the Keighley Sculpture Trail and discover their artwork at H Brook DIY shop on Lawkholme Lane.
To find out more about the group, visit Hainworth Wood Community Centre’s page on Facebook.
Highfield Community Association
Highfield Community Association is a well-established group based in Keighley Central that welcomes everyone from around the area to join in with a wide range of activities designed to bring people together and create opportunities for education and employment.
Keighley Creative hosted their workshop and photographer, Lisa Holmes from Photo Hub North CIC came along as a facilitator. Lisa demonstrated the photography technique of cyanotype and the group were encouraged to create their own individual pieces of art using this technique which were then put together to decorate their sculpture.
The final artwork, Princess Rocky Samra, can be seen “in the flesh” at Three Little Birds Bakery on Cavendish Street. Just grab or download a map of the Keighley Sculpture Trail to see all 10 Rombald’s Rocks.
The Good Shepherd Centre on West Lane
This community centre and charitable organisation is a hub for people aiming to empower, engage and educate economically and socially disadvantaged people in Keighley. They support individuals and families with links to Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. It offers a safe haven and a warm welcome and the team their understand how art and being creative can help those that are struggling or have been displaced.
Their group attended a workshop led by Olha Zhydetska, a Ukrainian artist, someone who herself has experienced displacement as she came to Keighley as a refugee following the invasion by Russia. She is passionate about folk art and so encouraged the participants use different materials like textiles, modelling clay and paint to illustrate what Keighley means to them.
To see their sculpture, pop in to the Old Parcels Office bar and restaurant at Keighley Railway Station.
To find out more about The Good Shepherd Centre, just visit their Facebook page.
One in a Million at the Sue Belcher Centre in Bracken Bank
This spring special workshops were held at the Sue Belcher Centre in Keighley where children from the One In A Million project were invited to decorate one of the 10 Rombald’s Rocks that would form part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail.
This project is all about offering disadvantaged children opportunities and education to help break the cycle of deprivation and helping their identify and celebrate their value and uniqueness as they are all “one in a million”.
The workshop was led by facilitator and artist, Sian Atkinson, who is passionate about using play and creative arts as therapy.
She helped the young people to use the sculpture to celebrate their passions, uniqueness and positivity with the use of bright colours and make their sculpture, Cole, one-in-a-million, like them!
To see Cole, pop along to Keighley Market where the sculpture will be on display until 29th June.
The Wednesday Leisure Club – currently on tour!
Wednesday Leisure is a special group run by and for adults with disabilities and additional needs. Their weekly group is normally held at Keighley Leisure Centre and they are given lots of opportunities to try new things and develop their passions, be it crafting, wheelchair games, bowling, whatever!
Their workshop was led by creative practitioner Laura Alice who has a passion for printmaking and mark-making. Together the group generated wonderful imager based on their experience of Rombald’s Moor and it’s nature.
The sculpture was named As I Walk Along the Moor and is on display in the historical Royal Arcade on East Parade during opening hours, 9am till 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
To find out more about the Wednesday Leisure Club, visit their Facebook page.
The team behind the Rombald’s Rocks project would like to give a huge thank you and big shout out to all the communities and individuals that took part in these community workshops. Their contribution ensured that the Keighley Sculpture Trail is truly a piece of community art and has shown off Keighley, its wonderful people and their creative talents!
