Great Promenade Show

The Great Promenade Show consists of ten pieces of artwork along Blackpool Promenade from South Pier heading south. It is generally thought of as an outdoor art gallery reflecting Blackpool’s history and character, with the works commissioned from both established and emerging artists.

Following a vote from the public for their favourites in May 2000, ten pieces were selected to be developed further and then installed permanently on the Great Promenade Show.

Installed in May 2003, the High Tide Organ is the musical manifestation of the sea. The organ is powered directly by the swell of water at high tide. A series of large pipes are attached to the sea wall and as the tide comes in the swell of water against the sea wall forces air up these pipes. That flow of air is what plays the organ pipes that are incorporated into the sculpture.

“The Swivelling Wind Shelters” is part of “The Great Promenade Show” and was constructed in 2004 by Ian McChesney with Atelier One. The sculpture was made using stainless steel and wood and is eight metres tall. It moves with the wind in order to provide a constant source of shelter.