THE BLUNDEN PRIZE
Public art has been a cornerstone of our work for over a decade.
We wanted to find a way to showcase this work with our customers and communities, as well as creating links with new artists who could create public art for Stonewater schemes for years to come.
As a result, we launched the George Blunden Public Art Prize, named after our former Chairman, in 2021, with the aim of finding artists to produce striking artwork as a focal point for our new housing developments.
2025 marks not only the fourth year that the Blunden Prize has been held, but Stonewater’s 10th anniversary. We look forward to seeing the innovative and exciting concepts that artists will create this year.
George Blunden, Stonewater's former Chairman
Blunden Prize winners
2024
Jim Bond
Yorkshire-based mechanical sculptor, Jim Bond was awarded the Blunden Prize in 2024 with his impressive design, ‘Helix’, which celebrates the industrial history of Coventry, where the work will ultimately be installed.
The eight-metre-long sculpture will form a focal point of the 148-home scheme, Elm Fields Farm, with seating space incorporated for customers to meet and relax.
Jim explained that his great-grandfather worked for Coventry bike manufacturer, Starley, providing a special family connection to the creation of the modern-day bicycle industry and the inspiration for his winning design.
Jim Bond, winner of the 2024 Blunden Prize
Jim's winning design, Helix, created for the Elm Fields Farm scheme in Coventry
Patrick Walls, winner of the 2022-23 Blunden Prize
Patrick's final design for the Horsforth scheme in Leeds
2022-23
Patrick Walls
The 2022-23 competition focused on a Stonewater scheme in Horsforth, Leeds, and the winner was Yorkshire stone sculptor, Patrick Walls.
Using local sandstone and project-specific stone, his artwork intimately connects to its surroundings and often includes benches, entrance sculptures, and visual markers.
Community interaction is central to Pat's work, involving consultation, workshops, and ongoing engagement.
Pat has held a series of community workshops to help develop ideas that have formed his final design at Calverley Lane, which is scheduled to be unveiled later this year.
2021
Coda Workshop
Winners of the inaugural George Blunden Public Art Prize were Midlands-based Coda Workshop, run by artists Bryn Hallett and Mark Rousseau.
The competition invited artists to present ideas for a long-term, low maintenance installation at Mulberry Meadows, a 125-home development in Castle Cary in Somerset.
Coda Workshop designed a weathered and stainless-steel structure, which would create a community meeting place that incorporates tasteful nods to the history of the local area, including cloth production, linen weaving and horsehair textiles.
Coda Workshop's winning idea for the George Blunden Public Art Prize 2021