A public art sculpture depicting Prestatyn’s history as a seaside resort and a celebration of its coastal setting has been installed in the town’s newly refurbished railway station car park.
‘The Beachside’ reflects the town’s tradition of being a seaside attraction, sandcastles, bucket and spade, little terns and windmills and directs residents, visitors and train commuters towards the beach.
Another sculpture reflecting the town as the start of the historic Offa’s Dyke Path, as well as its links to the Clwydian Range, architecture and Roman history is expected to be installed later this year and will direct people towards the town’s High Street.
In 2008, Prestatyn Town Council, in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and volunteer community groups offered an opportunity for artists to apply for a commission to design, create and supervise the installation of up to four pieces of public art in the town.
£135,000 was raised for the project. Of that, £72,000 came from the Arts Council of Wales and the rest from Denbighshire County Council’s Community Capital Scheme, Prestatyn Town Council and Countryside Council for Wales.
Fifty-seven artists and consortia submitted portfolios and a shortlist of nine was drawn up. They were asked to submit designs, which then went on public display before the successful pieces were chosen by a panel.
Michelle Rendell, Business Growth Officer, said: “The pieces are aimed at highlighting key assets of Prestatyn in particular the presence of the Offa’s Dyke Path National trail and the town centre’s location next to the coast and the northern slopes of the Clwydian Range an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“They are also aimed at reflecting the town’s heritage and history, its coastal locations and its importance as a railway stop along the North Wales coast.
“What these sculptures do is reflect everything that is unique about Prestatyn and this project is one of many going on in the town to promote and market its facilities and attractions”.
A sculpture to represent the town’s Roman connections has already been installed in the town’s Hillside Gardens and another promoting the start/ finish of Offa’s Dyke Path can be found at Central Beach.
For further information, please go to: www.visitprestatyn.com
