ART is set to adorn the streets of Yeovil in a bid to celebrate the town's past and future.

South Somerset District Council (SSDC) interviewed a range of artists earlier this year, and appointed YOU&ME Architecture and poet Beth Calverley to develop concepts for the art work.

Ms Calverley specialises in collaborating with community members to co-create poetry.

Councillor Peter Gubbins, portfolio holder for Yeovil Refresh at SSDC, said: “Public art really gets people talking and it attracts visitors to the town centre and offers a really exciting experience that is more interesting for people.

"We are pleased to be working with so many different groups and local stakeholders to really try and put Yeovil on the map and make it a place where people want to live, work, learn and visit.”

Work has been done remotely with primary schools, key employers such as Leonardo, the Yeovil arts community supported by Yeovil District Hospital's arts co-ordinator and many more to develop concepts.

They have come up with a series of themes to use in the artwork, and these include:

  • Shapes of Yeovil by the community, inspired from past heritage, present dynamic and future
  • A colourful and bright colour palette inspired by Yeovil in Bloom displays
  • Poetry co-creations and collage workshops with the local community groups
  • Civic pride

Caroline Barnes, art & design coordinator at Yeovil District Hospital, added: “The inclusion of innovative design and high quality public art in our town centre is a welcome development for our community.

"Here at the hospital we have a collection of nearly 300 art works for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy.

"We know that art can be an effective distraction in our hectic and diverse lives, the opportunity to be inspired and uplifted by your surroundings has health benefits for all and I look forward to visiting the exhibition in July.”

Concepts are currently being worked on and these are being displayed this month at Yeovil Art Space in the Quedam Shopping Centre.

Zoe Li, founder of Yeovil Art Space, said: “'Yeovil Art Space is a hub for sharing, learning and inspiring, we are delighted to be housing the exhibition and look forward to working with our partners in the local community.”

Final artwork that is created will be focused on The Triangle with a range of future ideas for the whole town centre.

The public realm works at new events space to be constructed at The Triangle, with the community shapes and poetry content woven into the floor surfaces and amphitheatre seating, as well as incorporated within three-dimensional artwork pieces.