Through Transported, local artist Kathleen Smith delivered workshops to colleagues from Elsoms Seeds over the course of 3 months, working with aluminium.  The colleagues developed the concept from start to finish based around the different areas of the business and this has resulted in a stunning new piece of work that has been sited in the Elsoms canteen.  The piece was unveiled to the full workforce at their Christmas party in December 2017.

Anna Scott, Projects Manager for Transported, said, “It has been a pleasure to work in partnership again with our friends at Elsoms and introduce them to local artist Kathleen Smith.  Following the success of our previous Arts and Business projects with them so far, we were keen to find an new medium to inspire the employees to create even more imaginative pieces of artwork.  The project has not only produced a stunning final piece for all to admire but has brought people together across the organisation.  People who wouldn’t normally get involved in the arts have experienced something different and have increased their appetite for engaging in arts activities.  We look forward to future Arts and Business projects with Elsoms and other local businesses across the South Holland district.”

Kathleen Smith, artist, said: “The Elsoms project went well. Everyone learnt new skills in printing on and dyeing aluminium and how to pierce and rivet metal. The resulting installation showed the combined effort of the employees of Elsoms Seeds and provides artwork for the premises that was made by their own staff.”

Roger Keeling, Chairman of Elsoms Seeds Ltd., said: “Elsoms are delighted to have been involved in another project with Transported to bring art activities into our work place. This metal work project with artist Kathleen Smith has brought together people from different parts of our company to work on an inspiring project to produce a great artwork, which is now in pride of place in our offices.

We want Elsoms to be the best place to work in our region and our industry. Engaging in art projects brings another facet to our working environment and the people who have been involved in our art projects with Transported have found them really rewarding. It’s now great to see the walls of our company becoming decorated by works of art by our colleagues, inspired by the fascinating work that we do – developing plant varieties that will feed the nation.”

Read Kathleen’s blog post about the project here: http://www.kathleensmith.co.uk/elsom-installation. 

To see all of the images from the workshops and the final pieces, click here. 

Images: Electric Egg