Between September to November 2006, the Maidstone-based artist Karl Farrer undertook a two-month residency and temporary artwork, linking several communities along the River Medway in Maidstone.

The aim of the project was to explore and document the landscape and the people who live, work and visit the river between the Fant and Allington Lock areas. The residency provided an opportunity to learn about the river’s environmental, historical and industrial connections through the people who use it. As a result, artist Gareth Polmeer created a new temporary artwork inspired by the residency.

The project aimed to:

• Increase public confidence, participation and ownership of the Borough Council’s public art programme
• Engage with a diverse section of the community   through utilising a local artist
• Discover a personal viewpoint of the public’s experiences and aspirations for the river
• Use the river to involve and reach out to all age groups
• Provide opportunities for local artists and graduate artists
• Create a network of contacts within the community that can be consulted throughout Elemental’s development

The artist residency and temporary commission was the first public participatory event to provide the community with the opportunity to work creatively with a professional visual artist as part of Elemental.The residency offered two apprenticeship schemes:

• A student apprenticeship scheme for film/animation students at University College for Creative Arts, Maidstone
• An apprenticeship scheme for an early career photographer

The project included community members with a wide range of ages and experiences, so that knowledge about the environment and history of their neighbouring river could be shared and provide further stimulus for artwork to be created in collaboration with Elemental. The project acts as an important celebration to the communities it impacts and a public valuing and understanding of public art delivered through the Borough Council.