The event celebrated the end of a 2-3 year Public Art project that I devised for the Gatherums and Springside Regeneration Group - a voluntary organisation made up of local residents who had been raising funds to regenerate the Gatherums and Sprinside park - a hidden green space in the heart of Louth. I met with the group regularly to discuss different approaches/ideas and possibilities for commissioning contemporary art work for the area; drawing up proposals and eventually grant applications - presenting these ideas alongside the group at interviews. The group also wanted to widen their audience and engagement with the local community and therefore I created an accompanying participation programme that ran parallel to the permanent commission - working closely with Rupert Clamp (commissioned Artist) and Toby Smith (freelance photographer who documented the project, art work and ran documentary photography workshops for local residents). We were successful in gaining a £25,000 grant from The Enhance scheme run by Linconshire Creative Solutions Initiative, LCSI for the permanent art work with additional funds of £16,000 from ACE East Midlands, National Lottery and East Lindsey District Council. The group had no previous experience with contemporary art, commissioning or running such a diverse project but were engaged in every stage of the whole process - selecting & interviewing, planning, advocacy, running events etc. It was a unique and rewarding experience. The project was part of my work as lead artist for Groundwork East Midlands see Creative Regeneration Programme on Projects page for further information.