Bargoed is to get four pieces of new public art costing £200,000, Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced.
The new pieces, paid for with European Union money, follows the installation of the Pierhead railings and Emporium Clock to the town’s High Street as part of its current regeneration.
Due to be installed in 2012 and 2013, the four original artworks, range from sculptures, inscriptions and steel work statues.
A guardian angel is to be installed at the northern approach to the town centre acting as a gateway feature standing approximately 5.5m high, fabricated in steel. The angel will depict protection and safety.
At the top of the bus station breakthrough, a Celtic Blessing will be engraved into the paving stones while three miner’s head sculptures, reflecting the area’s history, will be created on Hanbury Square.
The sculpture will be constructed in Glass Reinforced Concrete and standing approximately 3.8m high.
The final sculpture will feature three steel painted daffodils standing 6m tall in Hanbury car park.
Cllr Ken James, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development said: “These wonderful, original artworks will add to the vibrant atmosphere that the regeneration of Bargoed is bringing to the town centre. They will be a calling card to the communities surrounding that Bargoed has firmly stamped its place on the map.”
The council has said many of the artworks will be constructed from layers and will represent the contours of the surrounding landscape.
The artwork programme is being delivered as part of the £8m Bargoed Town Centre Regeneration project, being funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund, and the Welsh Government.