Inclusive art project celebrates 2024 Olympics

Local residents have been involved in an incredible art project to mark the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

People who attend day services provided by Wokingham Borough Council’s adult social care provider, Optalis, have been working together to hand craft the Olympic mascot sculptures.

The groups have created two sculptures of the Olympic Phryges, the official mascots of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, inspired by the traditional Phrygian hats.

The sculptures are being created using panels of wire mesh woven with fabric, wool and crochet squares, overseen by Jo Werrett, Community Lives artist is residence.

At least 80 people have worked on the project for at least an hour per week in the last four months, which equates to around 1,344 hours of work.

The art installation is the combined effort of all parts of Optalis Community Lives, which supports people with disabilities, people with long-term conditions and people living with dementia in Wokingham Borough, Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot.   

The sculptures will be on display in Wokingham Town centre from Thursday 1 to Friday 16 August, in front of the Town Hall for all to enjoy thanks to the generosity of Wokingham Town Council, which has kindly agreed to host the sculptures when they are complete. 

Julia Harris, Optalis Head of Service, said: "This project helps to showcase what the people we support can do. Our artist Jo is incredibly skilled at drawing out people’s talents and abilities.

"The motto of the Olympic Phryge is: 'Alone we go faster, but together we go further,' representing the ways in which the people of the world, can make each other better by working side-by-side. This project does just that, working together to create something wonderful. Optalis is thrilled to be able to support such an impactful and collaborative project. It’s a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together, and we are looking forward to sharing this with the wider community.” 

Cllr David Hare, executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing, said: “This is a fantastic project and I am very proud of the huge creative efforts of the people who use our services. They are very talented and I know they have had an enjoyable time working together to create these impressive sculptures. I am very excited to see the final sculptures, which will be unveiled to commemorate the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, for everyone to enjoy.”