BRISTOL.- Bristol-based public art producers, Situations is launching a new series of half-day professional development workshops offering insights into new approaches to public art across the UK, beginning by looking at growing alternative art projects in sites of regeneration.

Over the last 2 and half years, artist Jeanne van Heeswijk, commissioned by Liverpool Biennial, has been working with people from Anfield and Breckfield to rethink the future of their neighbourhood. Beginning with the launch of a community-led bakery the initiative has led to dramatic positive social and physical change in the area including an affordable housing scheme, bakery shop and kitchen, meeting and project space. Local people of all ages are collaborating in the development of the project, volunteering their time and energy, and committing to play an active part in the long term. But how does a project like this begin? And, once underway, how does a project of this scale sustains the energy of participants and co-producers beyond the first series of events?

For the first workshop - 11 July 2014 - Amy Franceschini from the award-winning artist and architecture collective Futurefarmers will be joined by Homebaked Co-operative Anfield, Liverpool. Franceschini's own projects include Victory Gardens - where San Francisco’s City Hall plaza was transformed into allotment gardens – and Flatbread Society, a compelling proposition to create a permanent site dedicated to grain production and baking on Oslo’s coveted waterfront.

Together they will explore how such projects begin, what happens once underway and what differences artists can make as catalysts for such projects. Produced by Situations, in association with the Liverpool Biennial, this is an opportunity for artists and creative practitioners, urban planners and designers to get under the skin of two art projects, which have used bread-making, community baking and food production as an alternative approach to urban redevelopment.

Public Art (Now) Professional Development Workshop: Growing alternative approaches to arts projects in sites of regeneration. In association with Liverpool Biennial

Friday 11th July, 12-5pm
Homebaked Anfield, 199 Oakfield Road, Liverpool L4 0UF

Booking is essential: http://public-art-now-workshop-liverpool.eventbrite.co.uk - tickets are £15 and include lunch.