Hereford city centre is about to transform as eight new public artworks and a sculpture trail are unveiled on our city streets. Locals and visitors will start to see artworks appear on gable ends of prominent buildings, in underpasses and passageways, and above shops throughout February and March 2024.
The commissioned artists range from international and regional level to new Herefordshire talent. The programme will also celebrate the Hereford College of Art's 170th anniversary, reusing disused brackets above shops to create a new sculpture trail through the city.
Some of the artworks will take a number of days to create so look out for the artists at work across the city. As part of the installation Union Passage (off Commercial Street) will be closed from 10-12 March 2024 and there will also be a small pedestrian diversion in place adjacent to Dough/Bastion Mews (Bath St/Union St) from 29 February–4 March 2024 to allow the artists safe access to those areas.
Cllr Philip Price, Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure, said: “We are excited to see the new artworks installed across the city centre as part of the Public Art Programme. The project has been years in the making, bringing together local people, students, businesses and stakeholders from across the city to add creativity and vibrancy to our city streets.”
The new public art programme, commissioned in partnership with Studio Response, is part of the £6 million Hereford City Centre Improvements (HCCI) project. The overall project aims to refurbish the historic core of Hereford through investment in the streetscape, landscaping and public realm, and is funded jointly by the council and Marches LEP.
A new Hereford public art trail will launch in April 2024.
More information about the Hereford Public Art Programme can be found on our website.