Stowmarket Library Garden

Suffolk Libraries advertised for an artist, organisation, or collective to design and transform the Stowmarket Library Garden into a space that nurtures the community’s creativity. The brief asked for the application to consider the legacy of the garden and the opportunities to engage the library’s local community.

The Design Quarter proposed the concept of ‘Stitching Stowe’ – Placemaking through Storytelling. The proposal would stitch / weave together many of Stowmarket’s stories through past and present, from historical landmarks and events to the industrial heritage of the town and the people within it.

The vision for the garden was brought to life by the community of Stowmarket in several ways. Firstly, the project was managed by the Design Quarter, along with their team of Kickstart placement employees. This partnership combined strong artistic vision with expertise in place making, construction, project management and sustainable design.

The wider public participated in a large part of the design process. Forums were held where the wider community were welcomed to share their stories about the town and what their library means to them. A selection of these stories formed the subject matter of the artwork on the garden walls and the murals of local artists who were commissioned through a mini competition run by Fox Yard Studio.

The public of Stowmarket also participated in a series of workshops including painting tiles, creating bird houses, constructing seating, and the soft planting of the garden.