Two new flag ship buildings in Accrington have become centre of excellence for Public Art. The Accrington Pals Primary Health Care Centre and The Acorn Primary Health Care Centre have both integrated Arts into their delivery strategy.

Five artists were commissioned to work with the community to inform the design of five new permanent pieces of art work.  Each of these pieces enhances and humanises the health care environment, providing character, identity, enhanced visitor and staff experience, ownership and way finding.

David Burns

Acorn Centre, Blackburn Road, Accrington

Artist and designer David Burns, created a permanent, semi-transparent vinyl artwork.  Vector-based software enabled the floral design to be scaled, manufactured and then applied to the main entrance glazing.  The piece can be viewed both internally, giving a unique outlook onto the world outside and externally, providing focus and attention to the entrance of the building.

Suki Chan

Accrington Pals Centre, Paradise St, Accrington

International artist, Suki Chan, created a suspended artwork for the four storey high atrium space.  Imagining Raindrops consists of 1,000 cut, etched and formed spinning acrylic raindrop pieces hanging on 400 steel micro wires. The colours from the acrylic reflect on to the walls of the space and provide 'way finding' points within the height of the building.  Click here for credits

Stella Corrall

Acorn Centre, Blackburn Road, Accrington

Artist Stella Corrall, created a suspended artwork, Cascade, for the main reception area.  Over 2,300 sculptural plastic forms hang from 121 microcables, filling the skylight and forming an inverted pyramid.  A complimentary series of 12 circular wall panels use the same bespoke coloured plastic.  The tactile nature of the material provides an opportunity for interaction. 

John Merrill

Acorn Centre, Blackburn Road, Accrington

Sculptor John Merrill created green oak sculptural seating, formed from five letter shaped, abstract pieces making up the words I Care. The sculpture provides focus and interest for the community space at the front of the building and an area for informal seating.

James Sutton

Accrington Pals Centre, Paradise St, Accrington

Emerging artist, James Sutton created a series of related small scale, green oak and stone pieces entitled Life, Death and All that's in between, forming a sculptural green space at the main entrance to the building. The 'ball' sculptures are carved from Rosa Aurora Marble and two types of Sandstone.