National Park looking to create a beacon for the south

The search is on to find an artist to create a beacon of the south, a public sculpture which will show those travelling along the A470 they’ve arrived at the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

As part of the Visit Wales project, The Wales Way, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority  is looking for expressions of interest from local artists to create a visual representation of the heritage of the Bannau Brycheiniog. The piece should leave travellers with no doubt that they’ve entered the National Park from the A470.

The search for a gateway feature, just north of Cefn Coed y Cymer, is just one of the projects being carried out by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority as part of the Wales Way project.  The Authority is also looking for expressions of interest from an artist to help design an interpretation bench for people who use the Craig y Fro layby.

Chief Executive Julian Atkins said the 33,000 people living in the communities within the National Park are proud of their rich culture and heritage.

“We want this to be celebrated,” he said. “The gateway feature should leave visitors in no doubt they’ve reached us but it is vital that it respects and reflects the landscape. The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a living and working landscape, which has supported communities for generations and continues to do so.  Through these visual markers visitors will be helped to understand how the landscape of today has been shaped by natural forces and by the hand of local people.”

The bench at Craig y Fro layby is set to be complimented with a proposed sandstone marker which will have specially commissioned poems by Owen Sheers and Ifor ap Glyn sandblasted into its surface. This is subject to a current planning application.

Mr Atkins added: “The aim is to create two very recognisable, eye-catching and bold features. All the information you need to get the opportunity to work on this exciting project which will have far reaching benefits for our communities and businesses, can be found on our website.”

Express your interest by visiting http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/the-authority/job-vacancies/ and submitting the information required before February 15th.  For more information contact Public Engagement Project Officer Sian Shakespear via sian.shakespear@beacons-npa.gov.uk