Education
Education and the Arts
Olympian Public Arts for the Community
Through the work of our much missed former Trustee, the late Liz Thomas, the Foundation secured £85,217 from the Arts Council England and further contributions from a number of generous organisations to commission “Brick Field”, a piece of public art for the people of Much Wenlock to commemorate London 2012.
The painting, by the artist Clare Woods, was exhibited in the Olympic Park at London 2012. A section of the painting has been re-produced and is located at the William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, to serve as a permanent connection of the town’s place in the heritage of the Olympic Games.
In addition the painting was digitally photographed and, through a complex process of digital printing, screen printing of special colours and water-jet cutting, the piece was reproduced in tiles by the specialist historic tile fabricators Craven Dunnill, a local firm. These tiles form part of a larger public arts trail around the School, Windmill Hill and the edge of the Gaskell Field.
A series of five wonderful works of art by the sculptor Michael Johnson, representing each of the five major interests of Dr William Penny Brookes: Trees, Industries, Botany, Culture and Sport are also located on the Olympian trail around Much Wenlock.
These features were unveiled in July 2012 by Philip Dunne MP. In the final report to the Arts Council on the completion of the project, Geoff Renwick, Head of William Brookes School has stated “The six pieces of art work in the Public Art Trail largely reflect William Penny Brookes’ love of this area of Shropshire. The pieces capture the work that he did to change the lives of people in the community for the better. They are an inspirational reminder of the difference that one man can make to the lives of so many. Students from Stoke Mandeville School have already visited this area and have walked the Olympic Trail and the Public Art Trail will now extend that connection into the school grounds”.
In 2018, the 5 works by sculptor Michael Johnson were relocated to new positions around the town by the Town Council.
