New art installation to be unveiled in Watford Town Centre

Friday, 26 July 2024 17:35

By Yana Trup

To celebrate the launch of the umbrella display, performances, speakers and entertainment will be on Queen's Road from 10am on Saturday. Photo credit: Watford Town Centre BID

'The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project' will be on display from 27 July.

The installation aims to promote neurodiversity awareness and will be up on Queen’s Road until 27 September. It has been previously seen in other parts of the country, but this will be the first display of its kind in Hertfordshire.

On Saturday from 10am, stilt walkers and professional dancers with colourful umbrellas will be providing entertainment and performances on the street, where the art installation will be officially opened to the public during a 45-minute event.

Kara Mesiano, Watford Town Centre BID’s manager, said: “Our aim is to change the perception of neurodiverse/neurodivergent people and celebrate all the strengths that come from thinking differently in our town. The vibrant art installation will provide a visually stunning backdrop to a great location within Watford Town Centre, but more importantly it will serve the purpose of raising awareness and educating the public on neurodiversity.”

The display is made up of brightly coloured umbrellas strung together overhead with each display designed to represent the one in five of us who have a neurodevelopmental condition, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia or Tourette’s syndrome.

The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project is an initiative introduced by the ADHD Foundation, the UK’s leading neurodiversity charity. Their mission is to create social change by working with agencies across all sectors to remove the cultural and systemic inequalities for neurodiverse people.

Visit www.watfordtowncentre.com and follow @WatfordTownCentre on social media to find out more about the range of projects and services provided by the BID team.

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