A MYSTERIOUS stone circle is the first project of a new group hoping to change the face of public art in Brighton and Hove.

The opening project by The Brighton School has piqued the interest of residents who have spotted aged paving slabs appearing around Brighton’s London Road area.

The stone circle is the work of five University of Brighton students aiming to create a “new myth” after rescuing 50 stone slabs that were cleared for a cycle route near to St Peter’s Church.

Organisers hope the art piece is the start of a wider scheme which could eventually help shape design for future council housing projects, public spaces and new beachfront structures.

The school beat more than 80 other bidders to create the piece using £60,000 from the redevelopment of the London Road Co-op department store and European funding.

As well as a new stone circle, the project has been marked with a film, a map, a Wikipedia page and an artist talk and walk planned for October.

The stones were laid along pavements but also in The Level and in people’s private gardens.

Organisers said they aim to change the whole process of public art in the city which they said had run out of ideas.

They also want to make better use of the artistic talent studying in the city which all too often moves up to London after graduation.

They hope to attract further funding to push the project forward and create a long-lasting institution.

Matt Weston, director of Spacemakers who is behind The Brighton School, said: “We wanted to make it possible for some of these talented graduates to stay in the city, but also to give them a means to change it.

“It feels like the city really needs these radical ideas right now.

“It’s a great place to start a design company, yes, but where’s the amazing new architecture, the public galleries, the critical voices?

“In the future, we don’t just want The Brighton School to do public art.

“We want to create architecture, public space, housing.

“And we want to turn it into something bigger, not just a programme for six months, but an institution that helps every set of graduates have an impact on the city.”

To follow the project visit spacemakers.info/projects/the-brighton-school.