Oaklands Art students bring Hatfield walkways to life

HATFIELD — Art students from Oaklands College who took part in the Hatfield 2030+ project for the duration of the year were able to witness the eagerly anticipated unveiling of their artwork last week.

Pupils from Oaklands College, Onslow St Audrey’s and Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School created the new art pieces which adorn three key walkways leading to White Lion Square in Hatfield.

Creating more opportunities for the display of public art is a key part of the Hatfield 2030+ vision for the town. The council worked with the schools and college to give them a brief based on three themes.

• The memory of the past
• The interpretation of the present
• Desires for the future, exploring the impact that new technologies would have on the area.

The works are a mix of photographs, drawings and paintings.

The original additions follow the return of iconic sculpture, Pearl, during the White Lion Square transformation, and – together with the ‘Three Swimmers’ statue outside of the swim centre – makes Hatfield an expanding hub for art.

Councillors unveiled the artwork alongside students, teachers and members of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board. The unveiling was part of a wider tour of Hatfield for the board to see how the Hatfield 2030+ Partnership’s regeneration plans are progressing.

Councillor Bernard Sarson, Executive Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Partnerships, said: “The regeneration of an area is about so much more than bricks and mortar. Providing a varied and interesting mix of arts and culture is one of the key parts of our regeneration vision for Hatfield, and we hope the new art work will act as a further draw for people to visit and spend time in the town.

“I’m hugely grateful to the students for their hard work; we’re all very impressed with the quality of what they’ve produced.”

Head of Art, Fashion & Design Victoria Caulton said: “I am extremely proud of the high standard of work that our students have produced. Working with Hatfield Council on a live project has been an exciting experience for our students, one which they have thrived upon and also developed their skills as budding artists within the local community.”

For more information on Hatfield town centre regeneration, visit: www.hatfield2030.co.uk