Wolverhampton’s top sites are vying for the accolade of being named as a city treasure in a new art project by two University students.
The Art Gallery, St Peter’s Gardens and the Grand Theatre are already in the running for the title as part of the innovative project by University of Wolverhampton students Debbie Shelley and Jo Rooney.
The second year Fine Art students were behind the community art project Before I Die, which encouraged people to list their hopes and dreams on a giant chalkboard on Victoria Street.
Now they are looking for people to vote on Facebook and Twitter for their favourite buildings or places in Wolverhampton city centre for the initiative, which is part of the Portas Pilot and 21 and Proud, the University’s 21st anniversary celebrations.
A treasure hunt for children will be created around the city and piloted on Wednesday, 10 April 2013.
Visitors to the Wulfrun Shopping Centre will be able to pick up their copy of the hunt and start their adventures around some of the most popular sights with stickers to collect and rubbings to do at some points along the trail.
The winning ‘City Treasure’ will also be presented with a certificate at a special event on Wednesday, 17 April 2013. A full public launch will take place in September to coincide with Heritage Open Days.
Jo, 35, from Codsall, said: “We spent a lot of time in the city during the Before I Die project talking to people, and we had the time to look around our surroundings. We realised that a lot of the buildings are beautiful. City Treasures encourages people to look up at the great things about Wolverhampton.
“We want to give our city a chance to show that throughout the economic downturn, the great architecture upon which a small market town was built still survives and share its history with a new generation.”
Debbie, 41, from Fordhouses, said: “We really enjoyed the community feel of the Before I Die project and we wanted to follow that with something to promote the city in a positive and fun way that really gets people involved.
“We want people to go on adventure through the city, and are keen to hear from people about their favourite buildings and places.”
Other sights suggested by people in the city already include the Lindy Lou building in Victoria Street, which is the oldest building in Wolverhampton, Molineux Hotel (City Archives) Central Library and the Chubb Building.
People can vote for their favourite landmark within the Ring Road on Twitter @city_treasures or by searching for City Treasures on Facebook. There’s also an email address: [email protected] . Voting closes on 7 April.
