the street is our gallery

Doncaster Creates and (AOP) Art of Protest Projects are proud to bring London based (but Scarborough bred) artist duo STATIC to Doncaster to deliver an amazing creation. A gable end wall mural as well as a jaw dropping horizontal floor paint to the grounds of the park. Wood worker and designer Lewis Morgan, who hails from Doncaster, has made his mark on the park by designing and constructing an array of sustainable wood play structures that are both unique and functional. In addition to this, he has created several innovative and visually striking bug hotels which are dotted around the park.

These beneficial structures support biodiversity and offer a space for propagation, encouraging the natural ecology to flourish.

And finally, to unify the space and facilitate the health of natural flora and wildlife, Street Scene from Doncaster Council have implemented a rewilding and grassing initiative to the park which will bring ongoing growth to support the aesthetic and ecological elements of the park.

This multi-phased park relaunch and the engagement sessions that have guided the designs and outcomes has already sparked a lot of excitement, as its primary mission is to transform the landscape and narrative of this area in need of imagination and rediscovery.

The vision for Baxter Park in Wheatley is to be a place of play for families and children, and to detract from antisocial behaviour that can be problematic in an urban park. Through public engagement and programs to support a healthy space, this park will not only be visually appealing, but will give back to the community.

Created with longevity in mind, this will be a space that locals and visitors can visit to enjoy wildlife in an urban setting, with a big and bold splash of colour and imagination!

Jeff Clark, director of Art of Protest Projects said, “Art has always been about affecting the hearts and minds of the people who live in and amongst it. The opportunity to take a space such as Baxter Park in Doncaster, which lacked investment, and turn it into what is now a world-leading urban art space was just too good to turn down.”

Mike Stubbs, Creative Director of Doncaster Creates said, “We are thrilled to welcome Static to Doncaster and Lewis Morgan back to his hometown to support this project which will enhance the park area and the local community. The collaboration with Doncaster Council is incredible – to see the fusion of art and nature in an urban setting. I’m also really pleased to see local kids playing footie in the park already!”

Artists Craig and Tom of STATIC said, “We’re really pleased to be part of this project at Baxter Park. There’s sometimes scepticism about how much ‘painting a wall’ can change things – but once people see it being done the majority of people respond positively. We’ve been working towards this project for over a year, and to finally be here and to see the way local residents are responding, particularly in the wake of Covid and the restrictions on where people can go, feels rewarding, with people in an area that otherwise seems to feel overlooked.”

www.artofprotest.co.uk / @aopprojects
www.welikestatic.com / @welikestatic
www.lewismorgancreativetimber.co.uk/ / @lewismorgancreative
www.doncastercreates.org / @doncastercreates