ARTISTS are being challenged to help create a series of public artworks for a 925-home development as part of a £153,000 project.

Mulberry Homes Yorkshire, the developer of the Sowerby Gateway estate, near Thirsk, has been granted £58,250 by Arts Council England for the scheme and will invest a further £95,000 in the project, which will be themed around sustainability.

North Yorkshire-based Chrysalis Arts will create public art for the new A168 junction to the estate that expresses its unique identity and will commission other regional artists and artisans to work alongside them to create artwork on other parts of the site.

Chrysalis Arts will work closely with Thirsk-based charity Rural Arts to develop a programme of community art workshops and consultations that give an opportunity for local people of all ages to become involved in the initiative.

Mulberry Homes director Martin Foster said the aim was to produce artworks that will be recognised, understood and appreciated by local people.

He said: “The artworks will be both temporary and permanent and will be exemplary in their expression of sustainable design.

"They will set a high standard and provide inspiration for future art, landscaping and architecture projects.

“The fact we have secured funding from Arts Council England demonstrates how unique this project is and we are very excited about the long-term beneficial impact this will have on the area.”

Bill Austin, chairman of Sowerby Parish Council, said: “This is a very exciting project for the Sowerby area and we hope as many local artists as possible come forward to get involved.”

Anyone interested in taking part can email kate@chrysalisarts.com or call 01756-749222.