The nine new designs for Hartlepool seafront artwork

Nine submissions of maritime themed art have been shortlisted from local, regional and national artists and now Hartlepool Borough Council is seeking the views of the public.

The aim of the initiative is to link the waterfront areas of the town via public art, but it is still subject to funding from the Coastal Communities Fund.

Other proposals include the installation of a statue dedicated to Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott within the Church Street area.

Ridley Scott - a former art student in Hartlepool who has gone on to direct cinema classics such as Alien and Bladerunner – filmed his first film, called ‘Boy and Bicycle’, in West Hartlepool and Seaton Carew.

Artists were invited to submit proposals which reflect the current or historical context of the Seaton Carew area and its seafront promenade.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Seaton Carew and the Church Street Innovation and Skills Quarter are key areas that are being transformed by regeneration with significant investment planned for both areas.

“This project presents us with an opportunity to utilise external funding to create new public art which will improve the attractiveness of the area for residents and visitors.”

The proposed sculpture will be located on Coronation Drive on the grassed area to the south of Seaton Reach, opposite Wainwright Walk.

Councillor Kevin Cranney, chair of the council’s Regeneration Services Committee, added: “The town has an impressive array of Victorian monuments, but very little sculpture has been added in recent years.

“We now have an opportunity to change that if our bid for funding is successful.

“We’ve received a wide range of proposals from artists and we would now like to seek people’s views to help the council determine a preferred sculpture.”

People can vote for their favourite sculpture by visiting the council website.