Verona Medhurst is a self-taught Boltonian artist, who creates remarkable clay models of Bolton’s best-loved buildings.
Verona’s artwork is currently being displayed in the window of a town centre building, formerly known as Beales, on Deansgate for the public to view.
The installation comes just before Bolton Food and Drink Festival, where visitors can observe the many balsa and clay models and learn about Bolton’s rich social history.
The art exhibition includes some of Bolton’s best-loved buildings such as Halli’thwood, Fred Dibnah’s House, Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe and Burnden Park.
Uniquely, each of Verona’s models are signed off with ‘BB+B’: Bolton Born and Bred.
The process for making each model is intricate and time consuming, with the Halli’thwood model taking more than 140 hours to complete. The smaller works take around 50 hours.
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“Verona’s work is truly remarkable and celebrates the significance of Bolton’s social history.
“Culture is the heartbeat of Bolton, and whilst being named this year’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture, it is fantastic to be able to showcase the local talent we have.”
After just one year of working in the medium of clay, Verona’s artwork has people keen to see more, with requests for her to create replicas of other significant Bolton buildings.
Verona Medhurst, said:
“I am so thrilled to see my artwork on display. I have always thought Bolton is a great place to live. My roots are here. Even if I won the lottery, I wouldn’t leave.
“People often ask me to create specific buildings. I try and choose the buildings which mean something to people – both historical and more recent.
“There is so much social history in Bolton and these buildings have lots of memories for many residents and visitors.”
Verona’s artwork is now on display in the former Beales store, on Deansgate.
Passers-by are encouraged to share their memories of the buildings as well as suggestions for future creations through a QR code which is displayed on the window of the exhibition.