Local artist takes over Guildhall Square with interactive project

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 12:53

Shape & Shift, a participatory sculptural placemaking project by artist Tim Scrace, launched at Guildhall Square in Salisbury on Saturday, 2nd May.

Facilitated by See Space Differently and with support from Salisbury City Council, the work invited the public to engage directly with a series of mobile sculptural “pods” designed to be rearranged, interacted with, and activated by participants. Through conversation, drawing, and play, passers-by co-created evolving spatial arrangements and contributed ideas about their city, its culture, and its future.

Across two weekends, the installation transformed both the Guildhall Square and the Market Square into a temporary open civic workshop. More than 100 participants and their families engaged with the work as it shifted throughout the day, reshaping how the space was used and experienced.

Shape & Shift positions sculpture as an active system rather than a fixed object. As a flexible, site-responsive sculpture, it explores how collective imagination can operate as a tool for placemaking and as a driver of change. A place for the community to test and share ideas and take time to reflect on how their city might be shaped if they were in charge.

Tim Scrace, Founder of See Space Differently, said: “Shape & Shift is about handing the tools of placemaking back to people so they can see space differently and shape it for themselves. The response in Salisbury showed how quickly public space can become a place of shared imagination.”

A formal launch of the See Space Differently creative placemaking CIC is planned for 17th July, introducing a wider programme of reactivations, workshops and partnerships across the city. Further pop-up events will be announced on the website and via See Space Differently channels. Subscribe and follow for the latest info. Next up…

Shaping Our Future is a creative placemaking workshop for young people taking place on 27th May from 18.00 to 20.00 at Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street. Tickets available via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-our-future-27th-may-1800-2000-tickets-1989096942500.