Public art project Rochdale Art Wall brightens up town centre
Date published: 03 September 2022
The Rochdale Art Wall in the Rochdale Exchange shopping centre
A new public art project is brightening up a shop shutter in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre.
Rochdale Art Wall has space for 21 pieces of art submitted by members of the public and is located on a shutter of the former Boots store.
The Art Wall has been organised by Matt Wild and Vic Whitaker after the project sat in their minds for several years.
Matt explained: “A lot of artists sit behind closed doors or do it at home and getting art into a gallery can be a big step - so this is a nice way to enable them to display work in a less formal setting.
“We wanted a public space for people to submit their work to be displayed. It’s a new way of seeing art, seeing different people’s art and having pride in the area.”
The Art Wall is the latest shutter in the Exchange to receive a makeover, after local artist Doodlher has been brightening up a number of shutters in the centre with her distinctive style.
Matt said the Art Wall is planned to continue for “as long as possible” and he hopes to bring it to other areas too, to encourage people to travel.
He added: “We are going to work with schools, homeless charities and other groups to produce work for the display.
Having regularly changing art on display improves everyone's mental health and provides a point of interest, and it also brings more people into the shopping centre: having things that draw people in and make people happy is a good thing for both parties.
“It's gone down very well. We’ve had a lot more submissions than expected.”
Priority will be given to art made by Rochdale residents, but is open to anyone from around the world. A theme is given for each exhibition; the current theme is ‘summer’ with art displayed until 16 September before being on display virtually online.
The upcoming theme is ‘doors’ and entries must be received by 11 September.
To submit your artwork, and view the other themes for later in the year, please visit:
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