ignite imaginations
It all began in February 2003 when a group of artists and residents of north
west Sheffield took part in the wond’rous watery walk – an event on the
ponderosa. This was funded and planned through the garden rooms, an arts
organisation that existed at the time, as part of bloom (a local festival in
Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe and Langsett). Roanna Heller and Cassie Limb were
inspired by Richard Long and Andy Goldsworthy, and wanted to create art in the
park. They aimed for local residents in north west Sheffield to get involved,
get inspired and engage creatively with naturally found objects. The Art in the
Park project became bigger and more diverse than the garden rooms could support
in terms of arts activity and in 2004 the project received it’s own Arts Council
funding. Art in the Park as an organisation was born, running an event
practically each month, which took the format of: a gazebo in a park, food,
volunteers and nature inspired crafts. They were very low key, but showed there
was a community need and interest in free, environmental art. Our limited
company status was given in May 2006 and we became a registered charity in
November 2006.
