A series of shop shutter artworks have been unveiled on Stanley Front Street, celebrating community pride in the town.
The vibrant artwork, displayed on five shop fronts along the Front Street showcasing what Stanley means to its residents, is part of a project we've delivered in partnership with participatory arts organisation The Forge, to boost the vibrancy of the town centre.
Victoria Keen, Place Partnership Strategic Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see this project complete. Looking up the Front Street, it’s made such a difference. It’s brought some much-needed vibrancy, and you can’t help but smile when you walk past.
“The project was born from the local community’s ask for us to focus on improving Front Street through our place programme. We’ve seen art used as a powerful tool in revitalising spaces and fostering economic growth, and by working directly with the community we've created a public gallery that expresses local people’s pride in place and hopes for the high street’s future.”
The shop shutter transformations were delivered by four commissioned artists, some local and others from further afield. Each artist worked with a different group from the local community to develop their concept.
Local Stanley artist Lee Ferry worked with users of Silver Friends, an in-person social befriending group run by Karbon Homes, to develop the artwork for the shutters of Purple Dragon.
Lee said: “I jumped at the chance to be involved in this project, it’s something I’ve been trying to do for years as the positive impact of street art on a place is undeniable.
“Working with the Silver Friends group to create a concept that reflects their Stanley has been really fun. And getting to paint on shutters in my home town high street is really special. It’s been a really fulfilling project and I’m very proud of what’s been achieved.”
Another artist, Eduard Sacrest, originally from Spain and now living in London, worked with Year Five pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School to workshop ideas for the shutters on Karbon Homes’ Skills Hub and the adjoining NEFirst Credit Union.
Eduard worked with the children to create art with stencils and spray paint, creating images that reflect themes of community and local pride.
Tony Harrington, Executive Director at the Forge said: “It’s been lovely to see the creativity oozing from the kids at St Joseph’s, and it’s been an honour to help untap that. We’re so grateful to all the artists involved in the project who have worked hard to ensure the thoughts and feelings of local people are expressed in their final pieces.
“Stanley’s had its share of bad press in recent years but it’s a brilliant place, with fantastic people. People want Stanley to be more beautiful and the response from the public to the new artwork has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The third artist Lewis Hobson, worked in collaboration with PACT House to create artwork for the charity’s premises, and the final two pieces, one on the shutters of Enter Retro and the other on Mayfair Carpets, were created by Jordan Stead, who worked with PACT House and Just for Women.
The project is part of Karbon’s Fair Foundations approach to placeshaping, delivering projects and initiatives in its communities that help make lasting change and help change perceptions.
A series of shop shutter artworks have been unveiled on Stanley Front Street, celebrating community pride in the town.
The vibrant artwork, displayed on five shop fronts along the Front Street showcasing what Stanley means to its residents, is part of a project we've delivered in partnership with participatory arts organisation The Forge, to boost the vibrancy of the town centre.
Victoria Keen, Place Partnership Strategic Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see this project complete. Looking up the Front Street, it’s made such a difference. It’s brought some much-needed vibrancy, and you can’t help but smile when you walk past.
“The project was born from the local community’s ask for us to focus on improving Front Street through our place programme. We’ve seen art used as a powerful tool in revitalising spaces and fostering economic growth, and by working directly with the community we've created a public gallery that expresses local people’s pride in place and hopes for the high street’s future.”
The shop shutter transformations were delivered by four commissioned artists, some local and others from further afield. Each artist worked with a different group from the local community to develop their concept.
Local Stanley artist Lee Ferry worked with users of Silver Friends, an in-person social befriending group run by Karbon Homes, to develop the artwork for the shutters of Purple Dragon.
Lee said: “I jumped at the chance to be involved in this project, it’s something I’ve been trying to do for years as the positive impact of street art on a place is undeniable.
“Working with the Silver Friends group to create a concept that reflects their Stanley has been really fun. And getting to paint on shutters in my home town high street is really special. It’s been a really fulfilling project and I’m very proud of what’s been achieved.”
Another artist, Eduard Sacrest, originally from Spain and now living in London, worked with Year Five pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School to workshop ideas for the shutters on Karbon Homes’ Skills Hub and the adjoining NEFirst Credit Union.
Eduard worked with the children to create art with stencils and spray paint, creating images that reflect themes of community and local pride.
Tony Harrington, Executive Director at the Forge said: “It’s been lovely to see the creativity oozing from the kids at St Joseph’s, and it’s been an honour to help untap that. We’re so grateful to all the artists involved in the project who have worked hard to ensure the thoughts and feelings of local people are expressed in their final pieces.
“Stanley’s had its share of bad press in recent years but it’s a brilliant place, with fantastic people. People want Stanley to be more beautiful and the response from the public to the new artwork has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The third artist Lewis Hobson, worked in collaboration with PACT House to create artwork for the charity’s premises, and the final two pieces, one on the shutters of Enter Retro and the other on Mayfair Carpets, were created by Jordan Stead, who worked with PACT House and Just for Women.
The project is part of Karbon’s Fair Foundations approach to placeshaping, delivering projects and initiatives in its communities that help make lasting change and help change perceptions.
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