"Create landmarks" - Louth County Council invites artists to create sculptures for housing developments

Louth County Council have invited local artists to create nine public art projects across the county. 

The Louth Public Art Programme will commission six sculptural works and three community-based artist residencies across the county which will be delivered over the next two years. 

The sculptural commissions will feature in new council social housing developments at Bakery View, Boice Court, and Greenhills Grange in Drogheda; An Mullach in Louth Village; Fullacht Fia in Dundalk; and Ravel Drive in Dunleer.

Closing dates for Stage 1 submissions for the sculpture projects at 12pm on Thursday March 5th. 

There will also be three Community Engagement Artist Residencies appointed, one for each municipal district. 

These residencies invite artists to work with the local community to develop new work in any recognised art form. 

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council said public art has the power to transform spaces and connect people. 

"These projects will create landmarks that inspire pride, spark conversation, and bring people together. Through this programme, we are making creativity visible and accessible to everyone in Louth," he said. 

Louth County Council also announced its new Public Art Policy, which sets out a framework for delivering public art initiatives in the coming years. 

The policy also includes the creation of a dedicated working group within the council and an advisory committee of stakeholders and elected representatives.

Closing dates for Stage 1 submissions to the Louth Public Art Programme is 12pm on Thursday February 5th. 

Ger Murphy, Louth County Council's Director of Services for Cultural Services said the policy is a major step forward for public art in Louth. 

"By integrating art into our public spaces and housing developments, we are not only enriching the cultural life of communities and the county but also supporting our vision of Louth as a great place to live, work, and play,” he said. 

Moya Hodgers, Arts officer with Louth County Council said it is an exciting time for the arts in Louth. 

"Thanks to the national Percent for Art scheme and the scale of housing developments underway in Louth, we have a unique opportunity to invest in public art. I have been working closely with our Public Art Facilitator on the commissioning process, and we look forward to seeing the creative ideas that artists bring forward,” she said. 

Full details and application guidelines are available at www.createlouth.ie.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.