A SCULPTOR with a proud record of creating celebrated landmark artwork has been chosen to design a new gateway showpiece for Goldthorpe.

Dan Jones' work will take pride of place at the roundabout constructed to the west of Goldthorpe to open up access to fresh land for employment.

Emerging artist Ailish Treanor will be joining the project and she will be able to gain practical experience by working with Dan, who has a wealth of expertise and experience.

Dan, supported by Ailish, will hold community engagement workshops in Goldthorpe and the wider Dearne to ensure everyone can have their say in shaping the new artwork. Details of these sessions will be announced in due course.

The council working in partnership on this commission with Beam, a cultural organisation working across the north of England.

The project is funded by part of the £23.1m investment from the Government's Towns Fund to revitalise Goldthorpe and the Dearne.

Coun. Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are proud of the work we are doing to build a bright future for Goldthorpe, with art and culture playing an integral part.

“The new roundabout, located at the western gateway to Goldthorpe, will play a key role in enabling new opportunities to grow the local economy.

“It is only fitting everyone arriving in the town is offered an inspiring and uplifting welcome and this new artwork will provide just that.

“I can’t wait to see what great ideas Dan can develop with the help of our Dearne community.”

Dan has developed a career creating sculptures for public spaces, rural environments and private collections throughout the UK and as far afield as South Korea.

He said: “Having lived in the Dearne Valley all my life, this area has greatly influenced my artwork, and I am excited to create a new sculpture that reflects this wonderful place.

“I collaborate closely with community members on nearly all my projects, and I aim to honour local residents' love for their village.

“This engagement not only informs the final design but also helps share skills, have fun, and ensure the artworks resonate with the communities they inhabit.

“It’s particularly important to me that every aspect of the sculpture is designed and crafted within the Dearne Valley. This aligns with my commitment to sustainability and will acknowledge Goldthorpe’s industrious history.”

Barnsley-based Ailish Treanor creates sculptures using paper and paint.

Ailish said: “I am passionate about improving access to art and culture, so I’m really excited to be working alongside Beam and Dan Jones for this project in Goldthorpe.

“As an artist, I hope to produce a public sculpture of my own in the future, so I’m looking forward to finding out as much as I can about what a project like this entails.”

In October, the council also launched an open commission with Beam for an experienced artist to devise new artwork at the Horse and Groom Square at the heart of Goldthorpe.

The artist chosen to drive forward this project located at a focal point in the town will be announced in the new year.

Matthew Stephens, chair of the Goldthorpe Town Board, said: “Towns Fund investment in Goldthorpe is transforming our cultural landscape through a wide range of projects.

“We’ve opened the wonderful new Community and Cultural Hub at the Dearne Playhouse, commissioned artist Jayde Marie Bell to produce new murals in Goldthorpe and unveiled new gateways to Welfare Park designed in conjunction with local students.

“The exciting commissions for artwork at the new roundabout and Horse and Groom Square show how we are committed to nurturing creative talent and I look forward to seeing its results.”

You can find out about how Towns Fund investment is building a bright future for Goldthorpe at barnsley.gov.uk/Goldthorpe.

About the artists

Dan Jones is a sculptor living and working in South Yorkshire.

His work is directly inspired by the landscape around him, and he takes delight in the natural objects and artefacts that he finds within it.

Dan works in partnership with numerous local authorities and regeneration agencies on schemes of work that have attracted national awards and strong public approval.

Find out more at danjonessculpture.com.

Barnsley-based Ailish Treanor is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work sits at the cross-section of sculpture and printmaking.

She is artist in residence at the Barnsley Civic, where her exhibition Ulterior Motifs is running until 18 January 2025.

Find out more at https://www.instagram.com/ailishtreanor/.