Locally based artist Lucie Maycock was appointed as Chesterfield’s first artist in residence – hosting workshops in the town centre from September to December 2024 and then creating a new artwork, Kaleidoscope, in the Pavements Shopping Centre.
Workshops in the town centre for both adults and children covered everything from printmaking, to storytelling, photography and much more. With hundreds of people taking part in the workshops.
As part of this project Lucie collected memories from members of the community – these inspired the new series of artworks which share and celebrate these stories.
It features a vibrant creative piece that holds stories and memories told through art work and poetry. With each section including an animal illustration, location drawing and poem.
Vibrant stripes of colour together with the animal characters lead you through the Pavements Shopping Centre to the community mural which was drawn by Lucie and more than 100 people helped Lucie to complete the design as part of the Derbyshire Makes festival.
Kaleidoscopes symbolise the reimagining of the town in a fun, vibrant, imaginative and playful way. Like moving a kaleidoscope, turning time and transforming one thing into something completely different.
Each animal and location illustration were hand drawn and digitised to be used as vinyl prints. The kaleidoscopes were then created from these drawings to complement the art work and give a completely unique design.
Lucie is a socially engaged multi-disciplined freelance artist who specialises in community arts. Her career spans over 15 years working in a number of disciplines and creative mediums.
Initially she specialised in youth arts, working in a creative arts centre delivering visual arts, media, theatre projects and more. She now works as a freelancer for a wide range of organisations, third sector and projects. Delivering to all ages and enabling people to find joy and wonder through the arts.
She is immensely passionate about all of her community projects and strives to make the world a better place using the arts as her tool.
Lucie said: “It has been an absolute joy to work as the resident artist for the Animate Chesterfield project in my home town. Occupying the shop and creating with the community was a hugely important part of the creative process and such an uplifting time. It was a great pleasure creating with and alongside others to inspire the final artwork for Chesterfield.
“The final piece Kaleidoscope reflects the pride I feel for my town and community, brought to life in my vibrant eye-catching style."
You can follow Lucie on social media to keep up to date with the planned workshops and see what has been happening. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and X.
