A new art project will see the hoardings around the site of the new multi-million pound leisure and community centre in New Addington decorated with photos of local heroes and pieces of artwork inspired by young residents.
‘Heroes Walk’ will be a celebration of unsung local people who have gone the extra mile for their community or selflessly dedicate their time and aims to inspire residents to be proud of their local area and their neighbours’ achievements.
Nominations for local heroes open today and the photographs of a maximum of 20 successful nominees will adorn one side of the hoardings around the construction site until the end of 2018 when the new facility opens. The photographs will be taken by one of the UK’s leading street photographer, Amadeus Long.
Nominees can be of any age but must live, work, go to school or volunteer in New Addington. Nominations and the reason why they should be featured in the project can be submitted via the Heroes Walk Facebook page until Monday 4 December 2017. The winners will be selected by the Heroes Walk Team, including Amadeus Long and Zinc Styles – a leading street artist from Shoreditch.
As part of the council supported project, the Heroes Walk team will also be running an arts competition in New Addington schools, calling on local pupils to submit artwork that illustrates what an active lifestyle means to them.
The pupil’s art work aims to remind the community of the benefits of being physically active and leading a healthy lifestyle. Competition winners from each school will be selected and pupils will then work with the Heroes Walk team’s artists to develop their pieces for the hoardings.
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport
“I’m delighted the council is able to continue to support important art projects like this. Heroes Walk and the schools competition offers a fantastic opportunity for local residents of all ages to creatively celebrate the very best of New Addington. This is a great example of the sort of work we will be able to do more of if the Mayor of London grants Croydon ‘Borough of Culture’ status for 2019.”
Kobi Prempeh, Heroes Walk curator, added: “Heroes Walk is a unique opportunity for everyone to celebrate the best about New Addington – its people. Nominating a local hero gives the opportunity to celebrate and publicly recognise someone that has done New Addington proud. I’m delighted we are also involving local school pupils in this project and that they will directly influence the additional artwork on the hoardings which we want to be a celebration of the community as a whole.”
To submit nominations for Heroes Walk or to find out more about the project visit https://www.heroeswalks.com/ or its Facebook page here.
