Independent traders in Huddersfield’s Imperial Arcade are celebrating the start of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics with a special art display.

The traders have brought together local artists to create a temporary show in the newly-revamped flowerbed, opposite Handmade in Huddersfield.

The idea for the art display came from Ant Gotts, owner of Handmade in Huddersfield, who is one of four artists involved.

Tray Tronic and Rob Martin have produced large paintings to be displayed alongside works by Ant and another artist who works in Imperial Arcade, Jayne Garner.

The display will be in place from Friday July 26 until Sunday August 11 and again from August 28 until September 8 during shop opening hours.

Tray Tronic is a well-known abstract artist from Huddersfield who has consistently supported community events and can often be found giving art lessons in Imperial Arcade during their monthly craft markets.

She has produced a piece ‘Olympic Flame’ which has been painted in Tray’s signature colourful style.

Tray said: “It’s a real pleasure to be part of this community art project. It’s a privilege to be involved in the changes to this arcade which provides opportunities for local artists.”

 

 

Rob Martin, from Outlane, is an international animator, cartoonist and artist. Locally, he famously painted Felix, the Huddersfield Railway Station cat.

Rob’s piece represents Huddersfield’s show jumping legend and Olympic silver medallist, John Whitaker, who is a member of Rob’s extended family.

Jayne Garner is the resident tattoo artist at Probodies in Imperial Arcade. Jayne’s painting ‘The Sound of Victory’ shows a lion in the colours of the Union flag and several Olympic Ring motifs.

Jayne, who has just got back into painting and recently displayed and sold work at Holmfirth Artweek, said: “I’m so happy to be asked to do a painting for this display. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of it and love the improvements to the arcade.”

 

 

Ant, a woodworker who has dabbled in pen and ink drawing, stepped in to produce a painting when another artist pulled out.

His piece ‘Our Derek’ is his first ever painting. It depicts legendary Huddersfield athlete Derek Ibbotson running out of a partial Union flag. Ant has included graffiti style information to explain to the younger generation what an amazing athlete Derek was.

Ant has also produced another ‘first’, his first ever chicken wire sculpture. It’s a wheelchair athlete and it sits in a racing wheelchair which Ant used to race in major events around Europe.

Ant also used the chair to set a world record for travelling 900 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2016 – a record which still stands today.

Ant said: “Retail isn’t an easy game anymore, you need encourage customers to visit. That’s one of the reasons we took on the garden. We want to entice people to walk through the arcade or even sit and spend time here. Hopefully the art display will add to the attraction and raise a smile or two.”

 

The Wednesday Knitters from Crosland Heath Golf Club have also been hard at work making knitted sporting figures including a kayaker, speed climbers and sprinters. The Wednesday Knitters range in age from 65 to 87 and are more used to knitting post box toppers!

There will also be contributions from Glen Williams, an artist known for his cardboard figures, and crafter Arthur and Martha who makes peg dolls.

Shopkeepers in the arcade will be putting up banners, bunting and window displays all funded by small independent businesses.

Shoppers are encouraged to look out for the small Olympic flags which will be displayed in many of the businesses in the arcade. These flags will be placed by each shop’s best deals, newest stock or most interesting products.

Jess Cullen, who owns fashion shop Moda Imperiale, said: “I can’t wait for the public to see the art display. We hope we can do a differently themed display every year.”

 

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