A TOWN centre will be transformed into an open-air gallery this week when a public art display complements its festive decorations.

An innovative arts project, launched in Spennymoor tonight, will see art and film projected on to large buildings around the town centre.

They will also be projected out of a shop window and on to liquid crystal screens on a specially designed van.

All the images - by video and filmmakers, artists and writers from across the globe - have a Christmas and winter theme to complement the festive lights.

The project, called Dazzle and Attract, is funded by One NorthEast and commissioned by Sedgefield Borough Council as part of its town centre regeneration plans.

A controversial fountain in the market place was removed in the summer as part of a multi-million pound street improvement scheme.

Public consultation about the kind of art residents wanted to see installed in the town found that people liked the idea of lighting and non-permanent features - both of which the project will use.

Newcastle arts company Arts UK hopes the images, including a choirboy, penguins, flying angels, images of Spennymoor, Japanese text and landscape photos, will appeal to a wide variety of people.

Published: 14/12/2004