Shop shutter art turns street into public gallery

4 hours ago

Pamela BilalovaNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Lee Ferry, right, was among the artists who took part

Karbon Homes Gift Shop Purple Dragon's shutters are down. They are painted in yellow, orange and blue and who two hands reaching out to one another. Two women in jeans and dark coats are walking past and looking at the artwork. Lee Ferry is walking next to them. His hands are in the pockets of his khaki bomber jacket. He has short white hair, a beard, black circular glasses and black jeans. — Lee Ferry, right, was among the artists who took part

Shop shutters artworks have turned a town centre street into a public gallery to brighten up the area.

Four artists worked with community groups to transform five store fronts on Front Street in Stanley, County Durham, to showcase what the town means to residents.

Stanley artist Lee Ferry said painting on his home town's High Street had been "really special".

Victoria Keen, from housing association Karbon Homes which is part of the project, said: "It's brought some much-needed vibrancy, and you can't help but smile when you walk past."

She said: "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."

Gift shop Purple Dragon, Karbon Homes' Skills Hub and charity PACT House were among the premises to be transformed.

Karbon Homes A gold bird is painted spreading its wings on the balck shutters of Enter Retro. There is a nail salon with a red shop front next to the premises. — Five shop shutters have been given a makeover as part of the project

Ferry, who worked with users of Silver Friends, a social group run by Karbon Homes, to create the Purple Dragon artwork, said he "jumped at the chance" to be involved.

"Working with the Silver Friends group to create a concept that reflects their Stanley has been really fun," he said.

"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 has been achieved."

Eduard Sacrest, originally from Spain but 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.

Lewis Hobson created an artwork for PACT House, while Jordan Stead transformed the shutters of Enter Retro and Mayfair Carpets.