The Rotterdam-based artist Jeanne van Heeswijk has been announced as one of five winners of this year’s Curry Stone Design Prize, receiving $25,000, money which will be invested back into her project, 2Up2Down, a long term project currently being presented as part of Liverpool Biennial 2012.

An artist whose work facilitates the creation of lively and diversified public spaces, her work with Liverpool Biennial takes the form of a social housing project, centred on a cluster of vacant properties opposite Liverpool F.C’s stadium in Anfield.

Van Heeswijk has been working with neighbourhood residents for over two years to plan and construct new spaces, in a socially committed, developing cultural collaboration. Its centrepiece is the Homebaked Bakery, a century old, family owned bakery that closed down in 2010, which has been reclaimed and now acts as a centre for the local community, a site for public discussion and debate as well as for weekly workshops and planning sessions focusing on its transformation.
The project and the number of residents involved continues to grow, encouraging people of all ages to develop urban design, architecture and construction as well as breadmaking skills. The artist has donated her prize money to the project’s continuing aims.

Liverpool Biennial, the UK's most important contemporary art event outside London, runs until 25 November 2012 presenting work by 242 artists in 27 locations across Liverpool in galleries, museums and different sites across the city.

Clifford Curry, an architect and recognized pioneer in senior housing, and Delight Stone, a historic archaeologist and social justice activist, launched the Curry Stone Design Prize in 2008 to champion designers as a force for social change. Now in its fifth year, the Prize recognises both individuals and firms who use innovative design strategies to address critical issues such as food scarcity, clean water access, disaster response, housing rights, health care, education, post-conflict development and peace-keeping. Emphasis is placed on emerging projects and ideas that may not have yet been taken to scale.

Jeanne Van Heeswijk commented, "I am so pleased that this kind of durational practice, working with communities in a deeply engaged way, has been acknowledged by such a prestigious award. It now gives us the ideal opportunity to really help sustain our work on 2Up 2Down/Homebaked."

For more info on the porject, visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE.