An artist has spoken of his pride at being commissioned to create a public artwork to mark a North Yorkshire resort’s 400th anniversary since becoming a spa town.
Jethro Crabb, whose workshop is based in Surrey, has been chosen to design and create the bronze piece for Scarborough as part of Scarborough 400’s celebrations.
The artwork, titled Aqua Vitalis, will be installed near South Bay and the Scarborough Spa complex, on a roundabout close to where the town’s original spa pump once stood.
A portrait photo of Jethro Crabb, the sculptor who has been commissioned to create an artwork to mark Scarborough’s 400th anniversary since becoming a spa town. (Image: Supplied)
Mr Crabb said: “It is a huge honour to be entrusted with creating an artwork that is due to feature so prominently in Scarborough.”
Mr Crabb has worked for Madame Tussauds, helping to create waxworks for celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt, and Meryl Streep.
His portfolio also includes commissions for Blenheim Palace and The Official Formula 1 Exhibition.
The new sculpture will depict a female figure raising a golden jug.
The design is inspired by Thomasin Farrer, who discovered Scarborough’s spa waters in 1626, helping establish the coastal town’s reputation as Britain’s first seaside resort.
An archive image from the early 20th century of crowds gathered as the Scarborough Spa Orchestra plays at the open-air bandstand on a sunny summer morning (Image: North Yorkshire Archives)
Mr Crabb said: “Women are still significantly underrepresented in public sculpture across the UK, and this artwork will help to address that imbalance by placing a local woman at the centre of the story.
“I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be responsible for the artwork and I hope that it will be treasured by Scarborough’s residents and visitors alike for many years to come.”
The public artwork is just one part of a broader programme of heritage events planned for Scarborough’s 400th spa year, coordinated by North Yorkshire Council and local organisations.
A view across Scarborough’s South Bay as it looks today. The town is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year since becoming a spa town (Image: Tom Arber)
Scarborough’s visitor economy generates nearly £580 million each year and contributes to North Yorkshire’s tourism sector, valued at more than £4 billion annually.
The sculpture project is being funded by a £100,000 grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered in the county by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Councillor Simon Myers, executive member for arts and culture at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We want to make sure that this year is marked with a series of events that truly capture just how special Scarborough is for everyone who lives and works in the town, as well as all the visitors who come to the resort.
“To have someone of Jethro’s standing to create the artwork is a real coup for Scarborough and the whole of North Yorkshire.
“I have seen the designs for the sculpture, and it is set to be a truly striking piece of artwork as a celebration of the town through the years as well as inspiring what the future holds too.”
A key part of the project involves engagement with Scarborough’s school pupils through creative workshops.
Children will be invited to contribute artwork celebrating the town’s seaside traditions.
Their drawings will be incorporated into the final sculpture.
Mr Crabb said: “These workshops are designed to be fun, hands-on and welcoming, giving local children a real sense of ownership and pride in the finished piece.”
Pending planning approval, the sculpture is expected to be unveiled in the autumn.
Event details for Scarborough 400’s celebrations are due to be published at https://visitnorthyorkshire.com/s400-