Models and computer images of the original proposal for the first two commissions in our MARK-IT Trail proposed by the winning artist, award winning sculpturer Graeme Mitcheson showing his initial thoughts for the town-centre cattle and sheep were displayed at the Society’s AGM in June 2024. At this early stage there will be further discussion and site visits before designs are finalised.
The installation is proposed to be installed outside the offices of R Longstaff & Co which has been selling livestock in Lincolnshire since before 1854.
The installation intended for the Sheep Market end of Hall Place, will feature a flock of sheep based on the Lincoln Longwool breed of sheep carved in stone. Again the breed would have been familiar sights in the sheep pens on Sheep Market, where the sheep auctions were held until November 1938 before the purpose built livestock market was opened.
As part of the commission, Graeme is hoping to run a series of stone carving workshops in multiple venues in the Spalding area. As well as offering the public the opportunity to discuss the sculpture with Graeme, they will have the opportunity to design and create a miniature stone artwork which they will be able to keep, a permanent souvenir of the project that will last for decades. If any community group or school is interested in hosting a workshop, they are asked to contact the Society or Transported.
The sculptures will be part of the Society’s proposed MARK-IT trail, a celebration of Spalding’s market in its live-stock heyday and its continuing importance in the country’s food supply, through mosaics, sculptures, and murals in the town centre, where the animals were traditionally sold. Also, the annual hiring fair.
Hall Place already has ‘The Hiring’ sculpture, and present-day food production and marketing are represented in the 14 small bronzes on buildings around the town centre.
The Society is working in partnership with Transported Arts and the Council, and this next stage of the MARK-IT project has been made possible by a combination of grant funding and donations.