SHOPPERS will be going for a song in Rugby tomorrow (Wednesday June 29) when an artist and musician tinkles the ivories on a piano she transformed into a piece of musical artwork.
London-based artist and professional pianist Natasha Awuku-Williams will officially launch the brightly coloured piano which has been temporarily installed in Rugby Central Shopping Centre to provide a soundtrack to Rugbeians’ shopping trips, as part of a project by town centre management company Rugby First.
Natasha said: “I’m really happy with the finished piano and I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.
“Rugby First asked me to design something bright and cheerful. I chose a red fluorescent background as it’s a nice all-seasons type of colour.
Natasha chose to feature British butterflies in her design, saying: “Many of our beautiful British butterflies are endangered and hopefully the appreciation of their beauty will help spread awareness of this.”
“Most people find butterflies beautiful and so do I, so they feature widely in the design. All the butterflies featured are British and I’m hoping people will recognise some of them. Many of our beautiful British butterflies are endangered and hopefully the appreciation of their beauty will help spread awareness of this.
“Nature – plants, butterflies, sky, water – features a great deal in my work. I feel that nature re-connects us to who we are and brings us a sense of peace.”
Robin Swift, Centre Manager, Rugby Central Shopping Centre, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the Rugby First community piano at Rugby Central Shopping Centre during July. It will make a bright, interesting, and hopefully entertaining addition to our centre.”
The upright piano, a Challen, has been donated and will be maintained by Rugby-based Steve Droy Pianos.
Steve said: “The Piano looks stunning, and people should be very excited to be able to come and play and enjoy this gorgeous little Challen upright when they are in town, whether playing or listening. I am so impressed by what Natasha has achieved.”
On learning about the project, piano stool manufacturer LSM donated one of their own locally-made piano stools for pianists to use.
Rugby First’s Operations Director Jo Kemp said: “I am absolutely delighted with how the piano has been transformed by Natasha – she has done an amazing job and I can’t wait to hear her play.
“I would also like to thank Rugby Central, Steve Droy Pianos and LSM for their support of the project – a great team effort in bringing something truly unique and special to Rugby, which businesses, visitors and residents will be able to enjoy over the next few months.
“If you are located within the Business Improvement District (BID) and would like to host the piano please get in touch. We are also interested to hear from any groups that would like to use it.
“We are already aware of several groups who are planning to use the piano in Rugby Central to entertain visitors as well as raise awareness of their group. If you would like to do the same, we would love to hear from you.”
For further information or to host the piano, contact Linda Lowne at Rugby First by emailing [email protected] or calling 01788 569436.
Natasha will be performing in Rugby Central next to Wilkinson’s between 1pm and 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday June 29).
