whg customers get in touch with nature in sculpture workshops

Walsall residents are set to have their artwork go on display in green spaces across the region, after taking part in a community art project.

whg customers at Austin House have been making clay molds inspired by wildlife, which will later be turned into metal ‘Speaking Sculptures’.

The next two workshops in the Spring will focus on painting the sculptures and creating soundscapes about the reptile and amphibian species in Walsall.

whg customer, Sandra, said: “I’ve loved coming to the workshops, having a chat and getting my hands dirty!

“I can’t wait to see the finished sculptures with my family and show them what I’ve done.”

Akhlaq Hussain, Community Partnership Officer at whg, said: “Our customers thoroughly enjoyed our first two workshops at Austin House, where they are co-creating art which will have a lasting legacy.”

National wildlife charity, Froglife, and artists from Juneau Projects have teamed up to deliver community art workshops across Walsall as part of Froglife’s Coalface to Wildspace project.

Elsbeth Leighton, Project Assistant at Froglife, said: “This project has been great in bringing people together to learn about the rich wildlife in Walsall, and to create something which the whole community can enjoy.”

The finished sculptures will be placed in green spaces around Walsall, including Arboretum Park.

Members of the public will be able to scan a QR code on the sculptures to hear more about local wildlife, linking this with the region’s natural history and geology.

Although these workshops are ending, customers can get involved with Froglife’s bird table workshops on 7 November at Austin House.

Email customervoice@whgrp.co.uk to take part.