Haworth People's Art - Welcome ! ...

Haworth People's Art is the name adopted by a group of Haworth locals that organise the annual 'Wall of Art'.

The group distributes canvasses, paints and brushes to the community, free of charge and then assembles the resultant individual artworks into one large 'wall'... fixed to the outside of a prominent local building.

In 2009 the group became self-funding and now intends to develop further events.

Please note that only this site, www.haworth-village.org.uk and Facebook carry the correct information about this year's event.
The 'village' site www.haworthvillage.co.uk is still publishing last year's information, despite numerous requests for them to delete or ammend it. Thank you.

Media Release, June 2010.

The 'Wall of Art®' project in Haworth was started by local artists Chris and Sandra McCarthy in 2006 and was originally to be a one-off event. However, the event was so successful that the local community became involved and it has now become a major part of the village timetable.

Initially, with a small grant from the Scarman Trust, they set out to design a format that involved as many people from the community as possible ... irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability or bias. The youngest participant to date was just 3 years old and the oldest well into their 80s.

In order to achieve a maximum level of inclusiveness, it was decided that financial circumstances should not present a barrier either and so everything necessary to participate is given out free of charge.

Drawing on many years experience in community arts, Chris and Sandra designed the first Wall of Art®, which has become the template for the subsequent annual events.
Although a logistics nightmare, the project is simplicity itself;
A number of good quality stretched canvasses (200 this year) are made available to the local community. Included with each canvass is a set of acrylic paints and two good brushes. ( The canvasses are supplied by Granthams Art Discount and the paints & brushes by Royal and Langnickle ). Participants are also given a general theme to work to, this year's being the '1950s'. The finished works are collected and fixed together to form one large themed installation. This is then fixed to a prominent outside wall on the village's famous Main Street, where it remains on show for two weeks.

Once the 'wall' is removed and dismantled, an extremely lively auction is held to sell off the individual canvasses. The proceeds of this auction pay for the following year's event, with all profits going to charities.

The event has grown in size and complexity over the years is now managed by a group of local people, under the name of 'Haworth Peoples Art', but still guided by the original artists who take an active role. This year's launch day (10 July ) includes a genuine rock'n'roll band ( Mike Raffone and the Blue Tones) a 50s Disc Jockey ( Oggy ) and street entertainers ... all of whom are providing their services free of charge to support the event. It is this tremendous level of popular support that keeps it going and developing year on year. Other enthusiastic supporters can be found within the local Police and Council offices; this has truly become a community event in every sense.

For the first three years, the 'Wall' was mounted on the gable end of one of the village's pub's, which was well known locally for supporting arts events. But, once the publicans left for pastures new, the committee decided on a new venue. It is the gable end of a clothing retailers and the Post Office, which can be seen from a long way down the Main Street and is the most prominent display space in the village. Most of the year it is a dull rendered cement wall, but for two weeks each year it will be transformed into a beautiful work of art for all to enjoy.

Although the owners of the premises are fully behind the project, an almost insignificant hiccup has postponed the use of it until 2011. This year the event will therefore take up temporary residence between two business premises towards the top of the street. It is a very good compromise and the committee is greatly indebted to the villager who is allowing them to cover up all his windows and front door for two weeks! It is this level of commitment from the community that fuels the projects growth and ensures its future.

For further information, details or photographs: www.haworthpeoplesart.com , www.haworth-village.co.org ( local groups & annual events sections ), 'Haworth Peoples Art' group on Facebook or contact chris.mccarthy4@virgin.net.