Artist needed to create hospital sculpture

The community hospital will stand on the site of the current Berwick Infirmary

An artist is being sought to create a sculpture that will take "pride of place" in a new hospital due to open next year.

Plans for the main entrance of Northumberland's Berwick Community Hospital include a "mobile sculpture".

Artists have been invited to apply for the job of designing the artwork in a project funded by Northumbria Healthcare's Bright charity.

Katie Dawson, programme manager of Bright's Healing Arts initiative, said: "We want to give artists the freedom to explore their creativity."

The selected artist will be expected to engage with the local community as they develop the final sculpture, which should aim to "create a sense of welcome" to all who enter the hospital.

It should also "support wellbeing and have a connection to Berwick", according to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Ms Dawson said: "The new hospital is part of our commitment to provide as much healthcare as possible in local communities, so we really want this artwork to be enjoyed by the people of Berwick and the surrounding area.

"It is also crucial that the community is involved and can help shape the process and final sculpture."

No themes have been dictated for the artwork, which Ms Dawson hopes will "set the tone for anyone coming into the hospital".

Artists are invited to express their interest before noon on 6 August.