The Vision

Nicola Anthony Studios have been commissioned by Arts4Wokingham to build a large public sculpture outside The Carnival Hub in Wokingham. As the first commissioned A4W work, The Arc will be a monumental, sculptural poem: it’s playful form swirling organically overhead, rising from the ground and appearing differently from all angles. Engaging both mind and senses, words will be projected via silhouettes, shadows and light refractions during the day, further enhanced by lighting at night, enabling this sculpture to dynamically expand into the surrounding space. This will be an exciting landmark for Wokingham Borough fostering a sense of wellbeing whilst enhancing economic prosperity and drawing in visitors from further afield.

In 2020 Wokingham Borough Council consulted with the local community on an Arts & Culture Strategy to create an ambitious vision for the area. By 2030 Wokingham Borough will be recognised regionally and nationally as a dynamic cultural hub, a Borough of surprises that delight across all our towns and villages, a Borough where everyone can access or get involved in creating high quality cultural experiences and where creativity is nurtured across all age-groups. As part of this ambitious vision the Borough Council has brought together an Arts & Culture Alliance made up of key representatives from the Council, artistic and cultural groups and the community. Arts4Wokingham (A4W), has been set up to enable one of its objectives which is to see more public art delivered. For these significant works A4W will be the commissioner and will work in partnership with the Borough Council.

The Carnival Hub

In spring 2020 the council started construction on the new flagship Carnival Hub complex in Wokingham town centre, this opened in Autumn 2022. Sitting to the south of Wokingham town centre and the Elms Field park, the site was formerly the location for the town’s annual Carnival festivities. The complex includes new apartments, incorporating an existing bowling alley and a multi-storey carpark. The Carnival Hub to dedicated to the arts and leisure as part of the Borough’s regeneration. The Hub will contains a library, a multi-use performance and sports hall and a range of swimming pools, as well as a café and studio spaces.

Budget

For the installed artwork there is a budget of up to £200,000. This will be funded by public subscription sponsorship and grants. The budget is to include the artist’s fee involved in designing and creating the work, the material and installation costs and VAT where applicable. We are now in the process of sourcing funding for our landmark project which aims to locate a major and significant sculptural work outside Wokingham’s new sports, leisure and cultural complex, The Carnival Hub. The award winning artist, Nicola Anthony, has been chosen to produce the work. You can make a one-off donation via the Donate tab, this goes directly to Arts4Wokingham.

Commissioning Panel

Decisions on shortlisting and selection of the final artist were made by a commissioning panel selected by Arts4Wokingham. Presentations of shortlisted artists took place in January 2022 and the Winner was announced in February 2022.

Community Engagement

The artwork is being developed with a range of inclusive community groups and representatives, with workshops and activities inspired by the artist’s work and practice are taking place. The artist has worked worked with the community to gather and share ideas and inspiration.

FAQ

  1. What is the character of the Town & Borough?

    Wokingham is an attractive former market town with a number of historic buildings. It is the main Town in the Borough, the character of which takes in many small towns, villages, and countryside, as well as incorporating the Thames Valley hi-tech corridor. There is a large variety of businesses in the Borough, and also many residents commute to neighbouring areas or into London. There has been little public art in the town so far. Therefore, this work will be a landmark statement for both the Town and the Borough of Wokingham.

  2. Where is the site?

    Outside the new Carnival Hub. This is an important part of a Borough-wide regeneration programme bringing new homes, businesses and people to Wokingham. The Carnival Hub will serve the whole borough and sits in a public area focused on arts and leisure, as well as some new apartments. The Carnival Hub is on the southern edge of Wokingham town centre and is accessible by road, public transport, cycle and foot. It is on the main access road to the station, bypassing the town centre and therefore highly visible to traffic. Of particular importance is the pedestrian access from Elms Field park opposite the intended site for the artwork.

  3. What is happening in The Carnival Hub?

    The Carnival Hub is a new complex that contains a multi-use space (for performance arts and sports), swimming pools, a spa, study areas, a cafe and a new location for the town library. To its south there is a new multi-storey car park and a bowling alley. Adjacent to it there will be a new apartment block with 55 new homes.