Public artwork trail nominated for national award

January 30, 2025

‘Made from this Land’, a public artwork trail by local artist Emma Edmondson, has been nominated for the 2025 PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture.

The award recognises the best sculpture or monument installed within the last year in a public space, engaging people with this art form.

Commissioned by Southend-on-Sea City Council through its Focal Point Gallery, Made from this Land celebrates Southend’s industrial heritage, with a particular focus on the historic brickfields of Southchurch and Thorpe Bay.

Over four years, Emma conducted extensive research into the area’s industrial past, connecting with local historians, residents, and institutions. The project involved traditional brickmaking techniques and community workshops, resulting in over 500 handmade bricks made from locally dug clay created by almost 100 residents.

Emma worked closely with local ceramicists Richard Baxter and Hayley Summers to develop slips and glazes from Southend seashells alongside learning to brick lay with local traditional brick layer Pete Franklin who built the sculptures with Emma assisting.

Emma said: "This project has been a journey of discovery and connection. Learning about the rich history of Southchurch and Thorpe Bay’s brickfields and working with the community to bring it to life has been incredibly rewarding.

“It’s inspiring to see how our community has come together to celebrate our shared history and create something lasting for future generations. Being nominated for the award is a proud achievement and well-deserved by everyone who contributed."

Councillor Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism, and Business, added: “This nomination highlights the power of public art in telling Southend’s unique story and bringing our industrial heritage to life and I am delighted it has been recognised on a national level.

“This project has not only revived a lost piece of our history but also engaged residents in a hands-on and creative way. Alongside Southend’s heritage trails, it offers another fantastic way to explore our city’s past and its lasting impact on the present, as we look ahead to our inaugural City Day on 1 March. We are incredibly proud to have supported this initiative and congratulate Emma on this well-deserved recognition.”

Made from this Land received funding from Arts Council England and Friends of Southend Museums, while Jewson Southend supported the project with building materials.

For more information about the project, visit the Focal Point Gallery website.

Details of last year’s winner are available at pssauk.org/