Andrew Dwyer

Three dimensional design / Public art / Urban design / Project Management / Art & Design Based Training

Andrew Dwyer is a 3D designer/project manager working in the field of urban regeneration. He has worked on large scale regeneration and urban design projects as well as training programmes and development projects including design and feasibility studies. Although Freelance, Andrew Dwyer
has worked primarily with environmental arts organisation ‘Free Form Arts Trust’ over the last six years.

Key Skills:
Creative Design - Prolific generation of ideas,identifying and developing the most promising of them.
3D Design - From concept sketches to models, through to fabrication drawings and installation.
Public Art - Site specific, relating to immediate environmental and local cultural characteristics.
Urban regeneration - Empowering local people to prescribe the future of their environment.
Community participation - Planning and undertaking art workshops and consultation exercises as a means to involving local people and to inform the design process.
Project Management - Complete management from conception and planning to hand over and exit strategy
Art and design training - Adults, children, socially excluded people and post graduates. One off sessions to accredited courses lasting several months.
Team working - regularly engages with the public, clients, students, colleagues,contractors and professionals in order to facilitate the smooth running of projects.
Computer Applications - Vectorworks, Photoshop, Quark, Word, excel, etc.

Recent Projects:

Wall of Fame Ran a collaborative arts project with a class of Year 10 pupils from Hackney Free & 2003-2004 Parochial School to produce 2D & 3D artwork based on their chosen aspirational characters from the local area. Spanning three months the project culminated in an exhibition displayed on ladders (metaphors for success) in the school hall. The exhibition was opened by one of the chosen aspirational characters, DJ and TV presenter,Trevor Nelson. The project has been nominated for a Learning Trust Educators Award.

Mardyke Consultation Design Study,Arts Strategy and environmental improvement 2002-2004 programme on the Mardyke Estate in the London Borough of Havering which addresses the estate’s regeneration needs particularly around its focal core: the shopping precinct. The project comprising, decorative laser cut wall panels, a first floor level 24 metre frieze and a slate and glass paving scheme was directed and informed by community participation at all stages. To be completed by April 2004.

Downside One of 5 projects chosen by Arts Council East for the ‘Arts/Generate’ programme, the Downside Arts Generate aims to bring about positive change on the Downside Estate in South Bedfordshire through a creative art-based approach to urban regeneration which engages the local community and all service providers on the Estate.
Following a programme of research, brief building, and partnership development accomplished through creative estate-based workshop programmes, community meeting/ events and introductory work with the 3 tiers of local government an Action Plan for 2003/06 has been developed for the implementation of an estate wide arts and regeneration strategy. Andrew Dwyer has been involved in many aspects of this project, working as a Project Manager on the Free Form team.

Cultural Enterprise Training Managing two small teams of post graduate trainees undertaking live community arts projects over 4 month periods. Trainees taught to NVQ level 3. In previous years have taught Computer Aided Design, project management and community and participatory project skills to the trainees.

The Bulrush 15m high stainless steel landmark sculpture in Leyton, designed to create a positive 2001-2002 local identity for semi-industrial area in the Lea Valley . Lead artist & project management.

New Deal Art and Design Training Course Andrew Dwyer helped establish and 1999-2002 managed a New Deal Environmental Task Force / Art and Design Training course in the London Borough of Hackney. This was a collaborative venture between Free Form and Arlington Care Association in which Free Form’s role was to teach art and design skills to trainees in order to help them into employment or education. Part of their training was to work on live projects, implementing environmental and interior improvements in community facilities that ordinarily wouldn’t have been able to afford such services. E.g. Interior improvements to community centres, homeless hostels and shelters, and landscaping on a rehab centre.

Newark Millennium sculpture and decorative lamp brackets in river side park. Designs 2000-2001 developed with local children through poetry and art workshops. Team artist & project management.

Willenhall A participatory public arts project in the Midlands which entailed extensive 1999-2001 consultation and participation with town centre users, local schools, community and youth groups. This resulted in five sculptures and a wall piece, all relating to the towns strong industrial heritage, being placed in the town centre. Lead artist & project management.

Foleshill A 12m high landmark sculpture made in partnership with Groundworks Coventry. The 1997-1998 design is representative of the local ribbon making industry and local cultures. Lead artist.


Employment History:
Exhibition technician and exhibition display fittings
maker/furniture maker Self employed - London 1994 -1997
Public Art Fabricator Chalk & Grime - Edinburgh 1992 -1994
Regional Newspaper Journalist The Journal Group - West Midlands 1990 -1992
Industrial designer Detailing audio recorder design - Leeds Aug/Sept 1990

Education:
BA (Hons) 3D Design Exeter College of Art & Design 1987 -1990
BTEC OND 3D Design Cumbria College of Art & Design 1985 -1987
7 ‘0’ Levels/ 1 ‘A’ Level Cockermouth Grammar School 1980 -1985

Interests:
Creativity, ideas and innovation, finding new experiences and sensations, meeting interesting people
The visual arts - a regular visitor to galleries, cinemas and events.
Photography - often seen carrying a camera ( and using it)
Travel - latest trip - Budapest and Jerusalem ...