Far Cycles bollard, artwork by Karen Spence
If you visit Faringdon town centre’s Market Place you might notice that it looks a little brighter: eight bollards have been wrapped with the brilliant artwork created by local groups, services and schools. This was a fantastic community project lead by Faringdon Town Council (FTC) with the aim of promoting these invaluable organisations.
FCC bollard, artwork by Year 12 students 2023
The contributors are Far Cycles, Far Runners, Faringdon 4th Rainbows, Scouts, Faringdon Art Society, The Place, Faringdon Rugby Club and Faringdon Community College (FCC). The project started last year when a brief was sent out with an artwork template – the brief to communicate what the group was about. FCC were asked to celebrate the theme of ‘markets’ with Faringdon being a market town which they’ve done excellently through a set of beautiful lino prints.
FTC lead art sessions with a few community groups to help them with their visuals. FTC’s Marketing & Community Officer and the Arts Development Manager from the Vale of White Horse District Council worked with The Place, taking colourful fingerprints of the children and carers, the Rainbows who drew badges they could earn whilst others painted a huge rainbow, and the Scouts who’s visual is an impressive map.
Far Runners bollard, artwork by Jodi Brown
This is the second phase of the arty bollard project, phase one adorned smaller bollards. FTC responded to feedback that the white corner panels of these distracted attention from the artwork and so worked with suppliers to develop a printed structure that allowed the artwork to continue uninterrupted around each bollard.
The bollards seem to be receiving positive feedback; one resident said, “I love the bollards, they really brighten up the square”, another commented “The bollards are super. They are all so different and a reminder of the many different community groups in Faringdon.”
4th Faringdon Rainbows bollard, artwork by the Rainbows
The bollards are printed on light and weather resistant di-bond board and printed locally. They will be regularly checked for damage and replaced accordingly. We think these are a great asset to the town and FTC would like to thank all who were involved.
