Stevenage: Artist commissioned to transform bus interchange

Artist Donna Reeves will create a new, permanent piece of public art for the bus interchange after she was commissioned by Stevenage Borough Council and Junction 7 Creatives.

The new artwork, situated outside the main entrance to the interchange, will be a mosaic sculpture.

An example of Donna's work. (Image: Courtesy of Stevenage Borough Council)

Donna will carry out workshops and sessions with the community to shape this project with the people of the town.

This commission, which attracted more than 30 applicants, is intended as a pilot for a wider series of public art commissions to follow.

Donna, who is a primary and secondary school teacher, said: "I couldn’t be more excited to have been chosen to create this ambitious piece of community art for the Stevenage Bus Interchange.

"Stevenage has been a destination in the lives of my family for almost 70 years and has real significance for me and my family.

Artist Donna Reeves. (Image: James Marshall - Spoke Stories)

"I imagine the station as a crucible of personal stories and experiences that meld and reform, creating a striking structure and beautiful artwork comprised of multiple narratives.

"This sculpture needs the people of Stevenage to participate and contribute to the design, and I want local communities to feel a sense of ownership and really welcome the artwork."

Councillor Loraine Rossati, cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing, added: "Art is for everyone and we wanted to commission a piece to reflect that.

"Donna impressed us with her vision, understanding of Stevenage and her commitment to working with our local communities to produce a sculpture that can be owned by the town.

"I can't wait to see her finished sculpture - it'll be yet another reason to be proud of Stevenage."

A mosaic leaf floor created by Donna. (Image: Courtesy of Stevenage Borough Council)

The commission forms part of the UK government’s Towns Fund grant to Stevenage, through the Stevenage Development Board. Stevenage received £37.5m in March 2021.

Adrian Hawkins OBE, chair of the Stevenage Development Board, said: "I am delighted that this project, which is supported by the Towns Fund, will be able to create and unveil one of the newest pieces of public art in Stevenage for a number of years.

"This mosaic sculpture will be situated outside the main entrance of our new bus interchange, and will also be included within the forthcoming arts and heritage trail.

"As with all our work, we will engage with the community in order to shape exactly what this will look like and, in order to gain these views, we will run a number of workshops and sessions.

"The newly commissioned work will add to the rich heritage that we already have in Stevenage for expressing the development and growth of our community through arts and culture."