During the summer of 2011 Beam worked with a small group of local residents from Great Houghton to support them in considering new artworks to purchase for the Great Houghton Health Centre. A number of workshops were organised plus a visit to local galleries in Barnsley.

The group quickly identified what they wanted the artworks to do:
Make people feel relaxed and happy; Lift their spirits; Be interesting and a talking point; Be comical; Be modern and bright; Reflect the local area and people.

The Artworks

Bluebells by Peter Griffiths
Peter Griffiths is a visual artist producing work for public commission and exhibition who is interested in using technology to produce imagery. The imagery for the vinyl artwork that Peter created for the centre is based on the local ‘Blue Bell Woods’ and the four seasons.

Late Summer, Great Houghton by John Wood
John Wood is a self-taught locally based artist. He has a passion for capturing the timeless beauty of Yorkshire and the Lake District. The group was keen to commission an oil painting of Great Houghton and selected this view looking towards Little Houghton.

Prints by Valerie Davide
The group oversaw the purchase of four prints by Valerie Davide depicting different animals named: Herby, Alfie, Lou Lou and Fliss.

These artworks were all commissioned or purchased as part of the Barnsley LIFT art programme in 2011 to enhance the healing environment. The project was part of a larger arts programme managed by Beam in partnership with Barnsley Community Solutions, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. NHS Barnsley and Morgan Sindall.

This project would not have been possible without the generous contributions and support of all those who attended and participated in the workshops to whom we would like to extend our sincere thanks.