New artwork in Walmgate, York, aims to highlight area

The two illuminated works are on the side of flats in Huby Court, off Walmgate.

They both feature a hive of resin-cast bees illuminated by solar-powered smart lights.

The work is part of the Walmgate Reframed project aiming to attract more footfall to the street while celebrating the area’s history and creativity.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, at the Walmgate Reframed project on Thursday (December 11) (Image: Ben Porter)

Pocklington artist Gemma Wood created the artwork, called Swarmgate, which was officially launched on Thursday (December 11) and is due to be in place for two months.

The artwork draws on the area’s heritage by referencing Anglo-Scandinavian beekeeping finds in nearby Coppergate, and the city’s historic movement of people and places from the times of early settlers.

Swarmgate, a new art installation in Huby Court, off Walmgate (Image: Ben Porter)

Sarah Williams, Walmgate Reframed’s lead, said the bee hives also represent community and people working together – a key theme of the project.

She said the artwork aims to act as a focal point of the project, which also features an art trail and workshops in the area, to attract more people to Walmgate.

The area – home to Dick Turpin’s grave and once York’s Irish population – is rich in history, but Sarah felt the space around Walmgate Bar is often looked.

People, she said, tend to venture along Walmgate to access the York walls or city centre – but rarely spend time in the street.

And so she decided to help install the two illuminated murals to stop people in their tracks.

“The artwork is the focal point of the project as a whole,” Sarah said. “It’s been a huge project with so many people involved.

“It’s lovely to see it up and to think about the work behind it … I’m really pleased with how it looks.”

The art trail is accessed by scanning QR codes in Walmgate (Image: Ben Porter)

Nearby residents were invited to the project’s launch, which featured story telling and poetry by artists with a connection to Walmgate.

The project was led by the University of York and York Creatives, in collaboration with local residents, community groups and businesses. It was funded through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund, supported by York and North Yorkshire mayor David Skaith and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Sarah said the artwork has received “great feedback” from nearby residents.

She added that the project comes as plans for development get underway around Walmgate.

City of York Council has announced that it intends to build affordable homes on the former Willow House care home site and carry out improvements across south Walmgate.

“It’s the start of spotlight the area,” Sarah said of the plans, adding that they will help ensure “no area [of York] gets left behind”.

Sarah hopes Walmgate Reframed will act as a “launchpad” for further art projects in York.

“We’re hoping to expand this project and do a bigger scale art project around York,” she said. “We’re in the midst of writing up what our next project will be.”