Douglas Development Partnership has begun a project to catalogue sculptures, memorials and other design-related pieces in and around Douglas.
Research is being carried out by Aimee Kitching, a 21-year-old student on an eight-week work placement with the Partnership as part of the DTI’s Shell STEP programme.
Development manager Chris Pycroft said ‘The idea for the project came about some two years ago when, as part of the refurbishment of Derby Square, we were researching the statue known as 'Rescued'.
'Later we were looking into the origins of the bronze statue in the Clifton Terrace rose garden.
'Researching these two works led us to realise it would be worthwhile cataloguing other pieces such as these and producing a visitors’ guide, perhaps in the longer term developing an online guide as well.
Aimee said ‘We’ve set up a Facebook site – Isle of Man Attractions – inviting people to let us know of any sculptures, statues, notable architecture, stained glass windows or other works of art around Douglas that could be included, including any not usually on show to the public.’
Once her work placement is completed, Aimee, a former Isle of Man College and English College Dubai student, will return to Buckinghamshire New University where she is studying knitting design.
She said ‘Working on this project is a good fit with my creative course at university.
'The catalogue will aim to shed light on the location, history, composition and artist of each piece. My research is revealing just how many items of art are out there in Douglas.
'Before I came to the project, I didn’t know, for example, about the existence of the 'White Lady' statue off Glencrutchery Road. We tend not to appreciate what we have around us and, especially now the North Quay has undergone such a massive regeneration, it will be good to extend visitor interest to other areas of the town as well.’
Mr Pycroft said ‘Once the catalogue is finished, we would hope to edit the contents and feature the most interesting sites in a gazetteer. We’re also looking at providing the sites’ GPS coordinates.
‘By highlighting the unique, the unusual and the little-known works of art that lend character to Douglas and its immediate vicinity, not only will it stimulate visitor interest but also raise the profile of public art in Douglas and the Isle of Man generally.’
Can you help?
Facebook’s Isle of Man Attractions site contains the current list of more than 70 works of art and is regularly being updated. However, the Partnership is keen for members of the public to post details on its Facebook site – including photos wherever possible - of any other pieces they believe should be included in order for the list to form as comprehensive a guide as possible.
Pictured: Douglas Development Partnership manager Chris Pycroft and Aimee Kitching in Derby Square, beside ‘Rescued’, a bronze statue by Frank Mowbray Taubman
