Art Acumen are currently managing a public art commission and engagement programme for Box Maker’s Yard, a new build to rent development on Avon Street, Bristol.

‘The Poetry Machine’ has been commissioned to engage with the local community to encourage the expression of feelings, memories and experiences about the place that they live, work and go to school in. The Poetry Machine will draw on these responses in order to create a collective poem that is an authentic reflection and celebration of culture and characteristics of the area.

The finished poem will be physically manifested and sited in different locations around the development, to be enjoyed by the residents, their visitors and the wider community.

As part of the public engagement, The Poetry Machine spoke with local residents, business owners and commuters, and were due to visit the local primary school last week to engage with children and their families.  Following the restrictions of the Covid19 lockdown, we have turned to technology to deliver what we hope is a personal and friendly engagement piece for the school community.