Chester Renaissance, in collaboration with Cheshire West and Chester Council, advertised the public art commission for the wall at 73 Brook Street, Chester.
The artwork will celebrate the interesting history of the street and wider area. The project will engage the local community, residents and traders and aims to encourage a continuing sense of pride in the area and a sense of ownership of the artwork.
A fantastic response from artists from all over the country was received. Eighty-five interested artists registered on the procurement website the Chest, and 35 of them submitted interesting and exciting ideas and proposals.
A shortlist of submissions was made by the Project Team, with representations from the local community in Brook Street and from Chester University. The short listed artists were from London, Chester, Wrexham, Warrington, Manchester and Yorkshire.
After having invited the short listed artists to further explain and expand on their ideas, Gary Drostle was selected. His exciting proposal for this particular location is considered to be most fitting, and his excellent experience in mural painting guarantees a quality delivery.
A period of research and consultation will lead to his final design to be presented at the Brook Street festival on 29 May, after which the artwork will be painted on the wall, to be ready in July. The commission will also create work placements for students from Chester University’s Fine Arts Department.