Artist Anita Bowerman is delighted to see her latest work take pride of place in Virgin’s new state-of-the-art banking lounge.
Harrogate-based Anita, who attracted worldwide attention as the official Tour de Yorkshire artist, was specially commissioned by Virgin Money to design the huge wheel sculpture for its Sheffield Lounge.
The 1.5-metre stainless steel wheel now hangs on the wall of the lounge’s first-floor library in the city centre building.
The Sheffield Lounge – the latest Virgin Money Lounge to be opened – and the first in Yorkshire, features a games room with ten-pin bowling, a piano room and quiet areas with wi-fi and complimentary refreshments.
Nigel Rees, Virgin Money’s National Properties and Facilities Manager, said:
We are so pleased with this high-quality steel sculpture. We include it on our guided tour and people stop to have their photographs taken next to it. It really is the focal point of the lounge.
Anita is a multi-talented, Yorkshire artist whose attention to detail and unique designs speak for themselves.
Lee McLean, the lounge’s deputy manager, said Anita’s artwork immediately strikes a chord with the people of Sheffield.
Lee said:
They are immensely proud of their heritage and as a Sheffield lad, I can see how the artwork with its wonderful steel cutlery, resonates with them. It perfectly sums up the city’s history. We have had so many favourable comments.
Anita considers it an honour to have been chosen to produce the artwork, following a chance meeting with one of the Virgin Money bosses who popped in to her gallery in Harrogate, The Dove Tree Art Studio, to buy some of her other work.
Anita said:
Virgin is such a famous brand and I am immensely proud to have my artwork take pride of place in the only Virgin Money Lounge in Yorkshire. I am glad the people of Sheffield are admiring it when they visit.
The run-up to Christmas is proving to be a busy one for Anita with her work in great demand – she has produced four Christmas card designs for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity, incorporating their new helicopter.
Anita said:
I was so pleased to see my work printed onto Christmas cards. The first run of thousands sold out so they have had to print some more! To date, they have sold about 5,000 packs.
I have also produced a painting featuring The White Horse at Kilburn and a unique hand-painted paper cut. They both feature the YAA retiring helicopters and there are 250 Limited Edition prints available of each for sale at £35.
I love to support the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and 100% of the sale of these cards goes directly to the charity, which is even better.
Anita gathered her inspiration for the four cards by visiting art galleries and looking at unusual, eye-catching vintage Christmas cards.
Anita:
I love detail, nature, especially animals….any excuse! Four very different ideas came into my head – Helicopter Robin Trio, Helicopter Snowy Valley, Helicopter Christmas Tree and Helicopter Woodland Animals, all painted in watercolour and gouache.
In the run-up to Christmas, Anita is holding ‘Christmas with a Conscience’ Saturdays, when 10 per cent of all sales of her artwork, gift vouchers and art courses will be donated to YAA. She is celebrating five years in her Harrogate town centre studio.
There will be complimentary drinks, nibbles, free gift wrapping and meet the artist. The offer starts from Saturday November 19 until Saturday December 17. Open 11am-4pm.
All the original artwork is on display at Anita’s Harrogate Art Gallery, The Dove Tree Art Studio, Back Granville Road, behind Harrogate Theatre. Or view her website www.anitabowerman.co.uk
Anita’s wheel can be seen at Virgin Money, Sheffield Lounge, 66 Fargate, Sheffield, S1 2HE.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance Christmas cards are on sale for £3.50 for a pack of 10, at Anita’s gallery or via the Yorkshire Air Ambulance website www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/
