A LIVING art sculpture created by a group of university students from Weston-super-Mare has been unveiled at Apex Park. 

Residents, councillors and lecturers from the University Centre Weston (UCW) saw the brick structure at the Burnham-on-Sea park for the first time on August 23 after it was unveiled by Cllr Mike Cresswell, the chairman of Sedgemoor District Council. 

The artwork was designed and constructed by students on the Contemporary Art and Professional Studies Foundation Degree at UCW and was inspired by the brick kilns that used to operate in the area.

Ibstock Bricks of Almondsbury donated around 500 unfired bricks for the project, and the students fired the bricks and assembled the sculpture at UCW’s Loxton and South West Skills campuses to pay homage to Somerset's industrial heritage.

UCW lecturer Ian Shipton said: “This was a great opportunity for our students to work on a live commission, and they got valuable professional experience by pitching to the Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group and Sedgemoor District Council and then responding to a public consultation.

“The piece fits in perfectly with its landscape, and we hope it is going to become home to plants and wildlife and enjoyed by art-lovers and passers-by for many years to come.

“The ethos of our courses is that students develop their skills through commissions, work experience and exhibitions, so we were delighted to get involved with this project.”

Cllr Mike Cresswell, chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, said the sculpture adds 'another dimension' to Apex Park.

"It reflects the past in its shape of an old brick kiln, as well as looking to the future by its contemporary design" he said. 

"We hope that many bugs, beetles and bees with make their home here.  Thanks also go to  University Centre Weston’s Contemporary Art and Professional Studies Degree students and the Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group and Sedgemoor District Council. "