A BASINGSTOKE student is to have her work displayed on a bench in the town centre, after winning the public vote.
Abi Massey, a student at Queen Mary's College, beat competition from other students studying the Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Art and Design at the college, with her winning design showcasing Basingstoke landmarks.
Their designs were showcased to the public as part of a special exhibition at Proteus Creation Space, with other entries showcasing roundabouts, snakes and ladders, green spaces, and ponds.
READ MORE: QMC students design Basingstoke town centre public art
Abi's design will be displayed on a bench in Winchester Street, in the Top of Town, as part of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Streets Alive project.
Abi said: "I was so shocked and happy to realise I was the winner of the bench design.
"I really did not expect this as there were so many designs that were completed to a really good standard. I am super excited to see my design finally painted and to be able to go and do that with my classmates.
“It will be really exciting to see my bench design in the town for years to come and have my work exhibited alongside some other really good local artists.
"I want to say thank you to the Streets Alive team for allowing us to take part in this project. It has been really fun, especially the exhibition and voting and I still cannot believe I won."
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The Streets Alive project, which was designed to support the borough’s economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, saw the council work with local artists and poets to produce over 40 pieces of street art.
Along with benches, planters and telecommunications cabinets were also brought to life in the Top of Town as part of the project.
Cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said: "It was fantastic to see the range of designs produced by the students. They were all such high-quality designs which made selecting a winner very challenging for the judges and those voting.
"I'm looking forward to seeing this creative design that celebrates Basingstoke once it is hand-painted on to the bench."
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