Art on the Line at Haywards Heath

Joe (photographed by Jon Barlow) was part of an exciting project launched by creative arts entrepreneur Nigel Ryan who has transformed the station into a temporary art gallery and given young artists a physical platform to display their work.

‘Art on the Line’ will be rolled out to other stations and will transform waiting rooms into mini art galleries across the Southern network.

Haywards Heath station’s manager Eddie Toase said: “I am very excited and proud to host what I hope will become the norm at more stations over time. We have already earmarked Horley and Three Bridges stations with more to follow I am sure.”

This unique and innovative project will feature the work of promising young art students, emerging artists and professional artists and, with a footfall of 12,000 commuters a day, Haywards Heath station is the ideal venue to launch the project.

The artwork at Haywards Heath is by three very talented students: Sam Jones, an illustrator, Brooke Hayes, a photographer and Catherine Hodgson, a poet.

They all went to college locally - at Oathall Community College, Central Sussex College and Warden Park Academy respectively.

The photograph of Joe Atkinson at Balcombe Viaduct was taken by Brook Hayes. Joe, who lives on the Sussex coast, was at Haywards Heath last Friday to help launch the project.

Artists chosen for the roll-out programme must live in the locality of their ‘Art on the Line’ station, with a good standard of work for their age group.

Nigel Ryan Director of The Creative Reach Consultancy who is the architect of Art on the Line said: “As an artist myself, having owned art galleries, curated exhibitions internationally and developed a number of arts initiatives nationally, I am aware of the talent that’s out there, but unfortunately it doesn’t get the exposure or have the physical platforms to be exhibited or displayed.

“The creative industries contribute £70billion to the UK economy, so we need to invest in these talented young and emerging artists because they are our future.

“The inaugural exhibition is being sponsored jointly by Rohan Solicitors who are agents for Carlos Acosta, a world-renowned ballet dancer, and The Gielgud Academy, run by Piers and Suzanne Gielgud. Both companies are based in Haywards Heath.”

Chris Burchell, Managing Director of Southern said: “Art on the Line is an exciting new initiative that will enhance our waiting rooms with original and creative art for our passengers to enjoy.”

The website of Creative Reach is: www.creative-reach.co.uk

Pictured: Joe Atkinson on the viaduct, photographed by Brooke Hayes. Also pictured, Joe on the platform of Haywards Heath station.