Somewhere we Meet

Glenys Barton.

Commissioned by Hextable Dance

A frieze of ceramic dancing figures in Hextable Dance has been shortlisted for one of the country's most prestigious art prizes.

'Somewhere We Meet' by Glenys Barton has been shortlisted by the judges of the Rouse Kent Public Art Award as one of the best pieces of public art created in the county in the last year.

The Rouse Kent Public Art Award is given annually by Liberty Property Trust UK, the developer of the Kings Hill business park, (formerly Rouse Kent Ltd); Kent County Council and Arts Council England, South East and is for artwork to which the public has access and which leaves a positive legacy.

The prize money for the main award totals £15,000 and will be divided between the commissioner of the winning work and the artist.  The winning commissioner will also keep the Rouse Chair for a year.

The winner will be announced at a VIP dinner at the Kings Hill Golf Club in May.

'Somewhere We Meet' was commissioned by Hextable Dance - a new dedicated performing arts centre built in the grounds of Hextable School - to enhance the architecture of the new building and act as a focal point for users of the centre.

The artist took her inspiration from the forms and movement of Antonia Grove and Theo Clinkard, Hextable Dance's first resident artists, as they worked with choreographer Raphael Bonachela.

Having filmed and sketched them, she created 34 figures, 30cm high, which she 'choreographed' into a permanent wall-piece in the centre.

Internationally acclaimed art critic Richard Cork chaired the award's judging panel. Other members of the judging panel were Professor Elaine Thomas, Rector University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester; Kent design champion Piers Gough; Janet Hodgson, artist and a prize winner of the award in 2005; Stephanie Fuller, South East Visual Arts Officer (Public Art & Architecture), Arts Council England, South East; Jo Richards, Marketing & Corporate Manager, Hillreed Homes and Vivien Taylor, Associate Director, architect, Liberty Property Trust UK.

The shortlisted entries also include 'Chatham Vines' in Chatham; 'Four Shores' in Sheppey and 'Lamb' in Canterbury.