Walsall Council has paid at least £143,000 to the art company responsible for the controversial corgis unveiled in Walsall Arboretum this year. The amount covers nine art projects across the borough, but the real total paid to Planet Art remains unknown since the authority said it ‘no longer holds’ information for three artworks made by the company.
An internal review has been requested into the council’s decision to withhold the information for the three remaining artworks. The Freedom of Information request was submitted after the council announced it paid £35,000 to Planet Art for two giant corgis unveiled in Walsall Arboretum in October.
READ MORE: Full statement as Walsall Council defends £35k corgi statues in Arboretum
The commission was to create a memorial to the late Queen and to celebrate the Arboretum’s 150th anniversary. But the sheer cost of the five-foot statues came under fierce scrutiny, especially since the Walsall Council announced several cost-cutting proposals to balance the books next year – including a 4.99 percent council tax hike.
Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Planet Art have been commissioned to create a number of public art projects across the borough of Walsall. As well as the Arboretum, the company’s work features in Willenhall Memorial Park, Darlaston, Bentley, Bloxwich and Chuckery.
Below is a list of each Planet Art project with their amount paid by Walsall Council.
Bentley Cairn near the Emmanuel Church | £35,000
Planet Art was commissioned in 2006 to create the artwork to mark the story of Jane Lane helping King Charles II escape from Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. The cairn is located where the Lane family home was. Planet Art worked with five schools and the community groups in delivery the project. It includes four stones, a fence, circular crown-like landscaping, the path and seating.
Bentley Cairn near the Emmanuel Church | £35,000
Healthy Walking Routes | £10,000
This commission in 2005 includes 30 bird sculptures across Willenhall Memorial Park, Palfrey Park and Pleck Park. The ten sculptures in each green space form a healthy walking route which have a different theme with maps and health information.
Healthy Walking Routes | £10,000
Bentley Wave sculpture on Queen Elizabeth Avenue | Cost withheld
The 15m fence made can be found outside the Bentley Shops. Planet Art was commissioned to create a central landscape feature as part of the regeneration programme for the neighbourhood.
Bentley Wave sculpture on Queen Elizabeth Avenue | Cost withheld
Looking through the key hole heritage trail | £20,000
This project commissioned in 2012 includes 12 large cast iron plaques and 20 smaller plaques which form a trail identifying historic landmarks across Willenhall.
Looking through the key hole heritage trail | £20,000
Two corgis, Walsall Arboretum | £35,000
The two five-foot sculptures are made of cast metal and rest on Cornish granite stone plinths, each featuring a water bowl for dogs. They were unveiled in September 2024.
Two corgis, Walsall Aboretum | £35,000
Benches, peace tree and returning WW1 solder, Willenhall Memorial Park | £20,000
The work was commissioned to celebrate the memorial park’s 100th year. The benches tell the memorial park’s story including its origins as a pit and how it became the memorial park. The 3ft sculpture is a tribute to returning WW1 soldiers who helped create the park.
Benches, peace tree and returning WW1 solder, Willenhall Memorial Park | £20,000
Chuckery Pocket Park sculpture, Walhouse Road| Cost withheld
The piece commissioned in 2016 features activities which took place in the local area.
Chuckery Pocket Park sculpture, Walhouse Road | Cost withheld
100 Years, Kings Hill Park in Darlaston | £10,000
The 2m structure made of granite and cast iron was commissioned in 2013 to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary.
100 Years, Kings Hill Park in Darlaston | £10,000
Leaf sculpture with poem A Park Is, Walsall Arboretum | £6,000
Commissioned in 2015, this sculpture features the poem A Park Is by Peadar O’Donoghue.
Leaf sculpture with poem A Park Is, Walsall Arboretum | £6,000
The Seedhouse, Walsall Arboretum| £5,000
Located inside the Arboretum visitors centre, The Seedhouse was created in 2015 to honour the life of local man Gareth Perrins-Seedhouse. Gareth raised thousands for cancer charities while contending with his own diagnosis of cancer. He passed away aged 39.
The artwork includes hardwood sculptures of seeds and fruits mounted on the wall.
The Seedhouse is located inside the Walsall Arboretum visitor centre | £5,000
Peace Garden, Walsall Arboretum| £2,000
Planet Art were commissioned in 2016 to create a memorial plaque for Corporal Jonathan Horne.
Peace Garden, Walsall Arboretum | £2,000
Bloxwich Tower, Elmore Green | Cost withheld
Unveiled in 2007 the sculpture includes images representing the town’s architectural history, awl blade making and lock making history, and former Mayor and MP Pat Collins famed for his fairground businesses.
Bloxwich Tower, Elmore Green | Cost withheld
A spokesperson from Walsall Council said: “Public art plays an important role in shaping the borough’s culture and identity. Over the last 20 years, Walsall Council has commissioned Planet Art to create a number of public art projects in and around green spaces and parks within the borough.
“Commissions have been procured in line with the council’s relevant policies and procedures. Planet Art is a Walsall-based arts partnership which is experienced in creating work for the public realm.”