Plymouth Brick Project

Brick Project is an engaging community public art activity that works at any bricked or tiled space. An area that is usually afforded little attention and has perhaps become neglected is painted in acrylic, one brick at a time by anyone who regularly passes by the area. They are guided by paid Assistant Artists from the local community who encourage participants to express themselves in a way that renovates the space, transforming it into a colourful exhibition built by memorable positive interactions.

When people feel engaged with an area, they’re inspired to look after it. Of many potential sites in Plymouth, the most appropriate site is the Glen Park Steps, which is the first thing visitors see when they leave the train station to the East.

Plymouth Brick Project will employ local artists, educators and web developers in engaging the community to personalise their own environment one brick at a time. We want the project to reach everyone, especially people who could feel overlooked in society. We will engage with local community groups and schools so people from all walks of life including people who are facing homelessness, commuters, senior people and literally anyone else who uses or walks past the steps will feel represented in the final piece. All participants will be treated as equals and will share pride and achievement in this project. The project is open to everyone!

Brick Project always creates a buzz, so people who wouldn't normally meet in their everyday lives paint side by side and create something that links all ages and communities. In Plymouth Brick Project we will use tablets to photograph each brick as it is finished, allowing the participant to enter their name and the title of their painted brick with assistance from facilitators. We will use this data every day to update our interactive website, designed by a recent graduate of Plymouth College of Art, in which a mouse can be hovered over a brick showing the artist name and the title of their work. This website will remain active as we create new Brick Projects worldwide, meaning the site will get a lot of traffic even after the end of the project. 

The whole community of Plymouth will feel included in the refurbishment of this area and hopefully even street painters who have previously vandalised the site will participate, meaning they can make graffiti in a constructive way and won’t feel tempted to damage the completed project (which will be protected by an easy clean permanent coating). Considering that 3125 people will take part in this 14 day Brick Project session, it will become a true reflection of the diversity of ideas, histories and futures that give Plymouth its vibrant character. Those who aren't feeling confident will be guided by the assistant artists in realising their vision. We will also tweak any bricks that are inappropriate while allowing the original composition to be recognisable by the artist. This spirit of inclusion gets everyone on board so no one will feel short changed by the finished piece.

Brick Project has been developed by three directors, Dan Petley, Rene G and Fraisia Dunn. Dan was initially inspired to start the project as an artist and community facilitator, Fraisia and Rene have joined to share their knowledge of running community organisations, developing healthy and sustainable systems and marketing and human resource skills. 

Your money will make the project possible. Creating the project takes a lot of dedicated work from local artist facilitators, so we're proud to say that paying these assistants takes up most of the budget. I will also be employing non artists as the realisation that anyone can create a good brick regardless of experience helps less confident passers by to get involved. Of course materials are very important, including lots of paint and brushes. The budget has been streamlined over the years so we know exactly how much space can be covered, taking inevitable spills and waste into consideration. Brick Project officials will be working at the wall for 10 hours every day. Promoting the project is also important, so printing and media costs is also accounted for.

If you have any questions please ask on the official facebook group... https://www.facebook.com/groups/plymouthbrickproject/