As part of the Stream Walk mural project, second-year Fine Art student, Tara Birks, is producing a collaborative mural celebrating Whitstable.
The idea focused on reaching out to local residents and finding out what makes them smile about being in Whitstable, in just a few words, and using those words to make up the mural.
Tara asked residents “What makes you feel positive, happy, engaged and connected about Whitstable? Tell me something – a memory, a person, a place or an experience – something that makes you smile about being here.”
Tara is creating the mural in her studio space at UCA Canterbury and has received around 50 submissions by local residents through Facebook and email.
Speaking to us at CommunityAd, Tara explains the process: “I am taking small groups of words, as they were written, from the submissions, and have created a grid of sand-inspired coloured squares where these colourful words will be reproduced. These are just little snippets of what people have said, but they seem to evoke the thoughts and feelings I have been receiving.
“This was commissioned by CCC and there are four other students from UCA producing panels too. Different to mine, they each put their own proposals together.”
The mural was originally scheduled to be installed by Spring but the completion date was brought forward and residents can view the wonderful mural by visiting the Stream Walk in Whitstable.
There’s a few reasons why public art installations can be beneficial for a town like Whitstable, firstly they can help generate footfall in particular areas of the town, benefitting surrounding businesses.
Secondly, art that reflects the community and its surrounding helps create a cultural identity, setting it apart from other communities and attract more people to its uniqueness, it can also help express the community values and attitudes.
Most importantly, it has the potential to inspire younger artists who might not have known much about the art world prior to basking in the beauty of public artwork.
by Callum Knowles