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.
2024 marks the third year that the Blunden Prize has been held, and 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
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
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 focussed on a Stonewater scheme in Horsforth, Leeds, and the winner was announced as Yorkshire stone sculptor, Patrick Walls.
Using local sandstone and project-specific stone, his artwork is intimately connected 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 has recently been granted planning permission.