Paint Stratford, a local initiative for Stratford-upon-Avon, supported by Stratford Town Trust, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwickshire County Council and local partners, invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of new murals at Fred Winter Centre on Tuesday 25th February 12-2pm.
Vibrant Addition to the Mural Trail:
Acclaimed street artist 7th Pencil (Mel Saggs), supported by Paint Stratford and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has created a stunning mural at the entrance of Fred Winter Centre carpark on Guild Street. The artwork makes a significant contribution to the growing Stratford-upon-Avon Mural Trail.
Community-Led Collaboration:
The celebration showcases a second mural designed and painted by participants in collaboration with Ali Glover and Marko Antonio. This community-led project began with a series of workshops at Fred Winter Centre, funded by Big Red Recruitment in early 2024, where weekly sessions empowered participants to explore their creativity through spray painting. Subsequent workshops in November were part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with Stratford-on-Avon District Council as the lead authority. Facilitated by 7th Pencil, sessions delved deeper into themes of mental health and community with participants' stories and experiences directly shaping the narrative of the artworks.
Continued Learning:
The event will explore further the growing world of mural culture with an insightful presentation on graffiti and street art history by Kate Cox. Guests will also have the opportunity to unleash their own creativity and experiment with the fundamentals of graffiti design using paint-pens and markers on a variety of street art inspired canvases.
Quotes:
* "The power of art has truly shone through the project," commented Tina Prashar-Malley, Volunteer and Wellbeing Coordinator at Fred Winter Centre. "It's a beautiful and meaningful addition to our space."
* 7th Pencil expressed her gratitude, stating, "Working with the community at Fred Winter Centre has been incredibly inspiring. This project has allowed me to explore my own artistic style while creating something meaningful that resonates with the community."
* "I am pleased to see that the UKSPF grant awarded by Stratford District Council has yielded a successful project and I look forward to the reveal on 25th February", Councillor George Cowcher (Deputy Leader Stratford-on-Avon District Council) Planning and Economic Development Portfolio.
Impactful Public Art:
The completed murals create a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for all, beautifully demonstrating the power of creative expression and community to positively impact mental wellbeing.
Looking Forward:
Paint Stratford has exciting plans for new placemaking projects in 2025 and seeks local sponsors, partners and collaborations with wall owners to provide suitable spaces for artists to create transformative public artworks.
Get Involved:
* Join the Celebration: Visit Fred Winter Centre on Tuesday 25th February 12-2pm to experience the murals and learn more.
* Explore the Trail: Discover the Paint Stratford mural trail and interactive map at www.paintstratford.co.uk
* Contact Paint Stratford: Connect, support or learn more by contacting Ali Glover at paintstratford@gmail.com
