In our final episode we talk to artists Nicole Mollett and José den Hartog. About: the rewards of community engagement and tapping into local knowledge; making things that people can use in their everyday lives; a shared love of books and drawing; and the importance of trust and letting artists do their job. Plus: fountains and follies, grotesques in old churches and a stuffed cat called Willem.  Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Tweet us at @artbirds Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Email us at admin@francisknight.co.uk Thanks for listening & keep podcasting ..read more

In this episode, we talk to Paul Cowell, Head of Culture & Libraries at Medway Council. About: growing up in Bradford and being inspired by his Mum’s involvement with Am Dram; creating environments and loving pavilions; the importance of words in public art. Plus: the positive power of beauty, dreams of a giant bobble hat and Take That.  We talk about links to several projects mentioned by Paul: Peveril Gardens by Sanchez Benton Together by Lucid Creates You & Me & Me & You by Anthony Burrill Me. Here Now by Mark Titchner  Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Tweet u ..read more

In this episode, we talk to artist Kerry Lemon About: escaping being pigeon-holed as an illustrator and getting into public art; being a one-woman B Corp; mentoring and supporting women to do what she does; leaving a societal and environmental legacy. Plus: being open, honest and sharing; why she can’t believe her own luck, and tap dancing!  Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Tweet us at @artbirds Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Email us at admin@francisknight.co.uk Thanks for listening & keep podcasting ..read more

In our first episode, we talk to Mark Osborn, Assistant Director of Housing at Gravesham Borough Council. About: the role of public art in giving a place an identity; why a landscape-led development is usually a more successful one; and why public art should be thought-provoking and never designed by committee. Plus: reinventing town centres, a funny story about the Flying Geese in Ashford, and the joys of getting out a sketchbook.  Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Tweet us at @artbirds Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Email us at admin@francisknight.co.uk Thanks for listening & keep ..read more

In this episode Louise and Laura talk with Writer Mark Hewitt about their own work as Public Art Consultants at FrancisKnight and:  the challenge involved with keeping public art as a priority on large-scale projects  the importance of bringing artists in at the beginning of a development   understanding how artists work   reflecting on the key themes that have emerged in this Talking Public Art podcast series  Plus: work/life balance, having fun, the wow factor and whether or not their hometown of Maidstone is still beige    ..read more

In this episode Louise and Laura talk with Artist Maria Amidu about:  why she turned from craft-maker to working in the public realm   the importance of rooting a project in the community  the interplay between the initial brief and what you eventually decide to do    Plus: looking out for Wivelsfield on the London to Brighton train and the delights of Agatha Christie    ..read more

In this episode Louise and Laura talk with Artist Chris Tipping and Landscape Architect Mark Fisk about the importance of:  - not always having a plan and allowing processes to evolve   - responding to local flavour and the feel and history of a place   - the High Street and outdoor space  - making places distinctive     Plus: biscuits at long meetings, swimming in the sea and Rochester Riverside Phase 3 ..read more

In this episode Louise and Laura talk with Artist Katayoun Dowlatshahi about:  how being an outsider can add value to a development  working around the challenges of budget limitations  being environmentally conscious and our role as caretakers for the planet  Plus: bee-keeping, fungi and willow weaving    ..read more

Whether you’re involved in planning, design or architecture, whether you’re an artist interested in public art or whether you’re just simply passionate about public spaces and the role art can have in making spaces better, this is the podcast series for you!  Each podcast is a lively conversation with a different practitioner, focused on a different area of practice as our interviewees discuss their personal approach to placemaking and how they got involved in this area of work as well as their bugbears and what really makes them tick.   TALKING PUBLIC ART: our first podcast with Ka ..read more

Consumer Reports: Finding the best deals on a new TV this holiday shopping season  WPVI-TV ..read more