The Turning Point Project Takes to the Streets

The community project, Turning Point, commissioned by Salisbury City Council and led by local artist Sue Martin, has been designed to discover what people think about public art in Salisbury. The John Maine sculpture in Guildhall Square is the touch point for this and involves discussions with a range of different groups across the city by using public art as a talking point.

During the project, workshops were held from October 2022 to February 2023 to focus on key places in Salisbury that held a special meaning for each group, and the participants shared their thoughts and ideas for art in public spaces around Salisbury.

On Sunday 5 March, project participants and local artists will bring their work to the Market Place to create a new piece of art based on their ideas from the project. As the work is going on, everyone is welcome to come and find out more, share their opinions and ideas, and perhaps influence the future of public art in Salisbury.

So whether you feel we need more sculpture, more interactive art events, community murals or no art at all: we want to hear all views. Project participants tell us that thinking about our city’s art works have given them a fresh perspective on where they live … now it can be your turn!

The Turning Point project will result in a community exhibition later in the year as well as a report on what the city’s residents want to see from art in our public spaces, to be shared will the voluntary and cultural sector.

Sue Martin (Artist) Sarah Gregson (Salisbury City Council’s Communities Manager) and Sally Edwards (Coordinator of Salisbury Arts Scene) have come together to bring this project to the public.

Sally said, “Salisbury Arts Scene events provide an accessible environment for everyone to enjoy art and meet the artists and makers in person. This is a great opportunity for public art to be showcased and discussed and we are delighted to partner with the Turning Point project for our event in the Market Square on Sunday 5th March.”

One of the Leaders of the Council, Cllr Annie Riddle said, “Thank you to the participants of the Turning Point project who have come together to discuss what art should and could look like in the city. Come to Art on the Square and join in the conversation on the future of our City’s public art and witness the live artwork creation.”

Art in the Square will run from 10am – 4pm in Salisbury Market Place. The artwork will be created between 1pm - 2pm during the Artscene market on the 5th and you can come and talk to our Communities Manager and lead artist about the project from 10.30am.

One project participant, Eve, wrote this in response to the Turning Point sculpture, where this project begins.

Turning Point
Meeting place
Spire reflection
You are in a good place

Compass shadows
Follow your day
Even the sun
Blesses this one