Way of the Roses - Public Art Project Brief and Background The ‘Way of the Roses’ cycle route, the initial Artworks Commission and who commissioned it

Way of the Roses Cycle Route Way of The Way of the Roses is a new coast to coast cycle route. It links sections of existing the Roses National Cycle Routes to form a continuous route from on the west coast of A new ‘coast-to-coast’ cycle route between Morecambe and England to on the east. Bridlington via the historic cities of Lancaster and . Opening 11th September 2010 Way of the Roses was created through partnership working across the local authorities and National Parks across the route, co-ordinated by and their specialist consultant Rupert Douglas.

New sections of cycle way were dedicated, original signage was installed, a website (www.wayoftheroses.info) created and a route map printed....

Way of the Roses was officially opened to the public on 12th September 2010.

169 well signed miles from Morecambe Bay, through the Lune Valley, Forest of Bowland AONB, Dales National Park, Nidderdale AONB, Vale of York and to Bridlington Bay.

Project Brief and Backround Public Art Commission - the Idea - the Partners

The partners in Way of the Roses decided that a Public Art The partners in the Way of the Roses - Public Art are: project could help the overall project realise its potential. In particular public art could assist in: Sustrans • creating a unique identity for Way of the Roses alongside the Dales LEADER already existing long distance cycle routes CWWW LEADER East Riding of Yorkshire Council • creating links between communities and the route and, in so doing, maximise potential benefits for local people and (A full list of these, and other groups that actively enterprises from the cycle route participated in this phase of the project are detailed in ‘2. Methodology and Activity’) • establishing Way of the Roses as a high quality cultural attraction, in keeping with the aspirations of the region of the North of England

• increasing the number and range of peole using the cycle route, leading to benefits for local communities

- the Process - the Brief

The partners in Way of the Roses envisioned the project asw Public Art Consultant Cathy Newbery was appointed to a mechanism that linked environment, heritage and culture develop a brief for a public art commission, assist the across the North of the region through sustainable transport partners in appointing an artist, work with the artist to links, creating an innovative synergy between- health, leisure, deliver the commission brief and carry out mapping of the tourism and education for local people and visitors alike. cultural offer* along the route. Way of the Roses was conceived as something that could *the cultural mapping process is detailed in a separate document, but is bring tangible economic, environmental and social wellbeing included here in ‘4. Implementation’ benefits for communities along the route in a manner that was sympathetic to the existing character and aspirations of the localities. u

Project Brief and Backround - the Brief was structured around four main aims:

1. To help create/confirm an unique identity for Way of the Roses - to differentiate between other long-distance cycle routes. This identity will reflect the culture and characteristics of the places and communities along the route

2. To connect local people and communities to the Way of the Roses cycle route in a meaningful and beneficial way

3. To build on the reputation of Sustrans and the North Of England in contemporary public art and deliver a high quality, innovative and socially-engaged artwork project

4. To increase the potential economic benefit for the areas that the Way of the Roses cycle route passes through

- the Artist

Following a longlisting and shortlisting process, three artists of national standing were interviewed, in June 2010 by a panel representing all the project partners.

Matt Baker was commissioned as the artist for the Way of the Roses Public Art Project.

The commission at that time was defined as u

Project Brief and Backround The art project will comprise works for the either end of the route but also aims to add something to the overall experience throughout. Ma� is also looking at links with exis�ng and planned art and cultural ac�vity along the route, and is keen to work with communi�es and groups on the ground to extract the maximum poten�al from the project ar�s�cally and for the cultural benefit of the regions along the route

This document is the first in a set of four outlining a commission to develop a public artwork* in association with the new coast to coast cycle route ‘Way of the Roses’.

*an overall artwork for the route that is made up of a range of individual pieces of artwork

Commissioned Artist - Matt Baker www.mattbaker.org.uk Artworks Project Manager - Cathy Newbery www.cathynewbery.co.uk

July 2010 - December 2010

Project supported by: