Emma's Engagement for ArtStops

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Emma lives on, in a project that has just come to fruition called Art Stops. The project brought cheer and colour, like Emma did wherever she went, to an historic West London town called Northolt. The project, carried out by New Practice, where Emma worked, called on local artists to create murals for installation in popular public spaces. This was part of the broader Visions for Northolt program by Ealing Council.

Emma began work full-time in the summer of 2022 on the project in London, before moving to the firm’s main Glasgow office in the fall. New Practice’s job was to solicit public input, work with the artists, and deliver the works. We especially like the geometric Islamic-art-inspired panels by Samira Mian gracing the public library, transforming it into a jewel.

According to project leads Duncan Bain and Molly Judge, Emma was a quick study and dove into the mission whole-heartedly. She endured London’s hottest summer days on the sidewalks of Northolt, leading the delivery of a day-long creative engagement event collecting opinions from residents. She enjoyed the many calls with the artists, supporting them in the early phases of transforming their ideas into deliverable public artworks.

"It's sad to think that this project, which began over a year ago with Duncan, Emma, and me working together, has been delivered without Emma. This project has been a journey filled with mixed emotions. It is heartwarming to see the art on-site in Northolt and see how much it means to the local artists. The project holds significant importance for all of us at New Practice,’’ said Molly Judge, Senior Designer.

Walking in Emma’s footsteps, John and I took a tour of the stops in June 2023 – again on one of the hottest days of summer -- as New Practice awaited final approvals. The project was installed on Sept. 22, and on Oct. 12, Molly and Duncan led a public walking tour with the artists around the various sites.

Go here to see photos of the murals: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ptEqf1V6ASWxkNU46.




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