A colourful community mural will launch in Bridgwater this summer.
St John Street / Broadway Brick Project aims to transform a dull facade at the junction of the 2 streets into a giant painted patchwork, created by community groups and individuals.
The project is being funded through the Bridgwater Town Deal that is bringing £23.2million of government investment to the town through 11 local projects, helping to revitalise the social, cultural and economic offerings in the town centre.
The mural is being co-ordinated by the Brick Project Community Interest Company (CIC) who will gather ideas, the inspiration from local people and community groups before work starts on priming the wall surface with colours next month, with community painting starting mid-July.
Team members will encourage people to paint their own designs on an individual brick – there are around 1,800 to cover – to create a dazzling array of images for people to enjoy. It will be varnished to preserve the artwork as a permanent public gallery.
The project will culminate in a Bridgwater’s Got Talent celebration on Sunday 4 August, featuring performances from people who have been part of the Brick Wall project. A plaque will later be installed to explain the background to the mural.
Councillor Jacqui Solomon, Bridgwater Town Council Ward Member for Eastover said:
The mural will be created by local people for local people and it should be spectacular. The Board is delighted this is happening to brighten up Bridgwater and showcase great local talent. The Town Wardens will be using their community outreach skills to draw people into taking part.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development Planning and Assets said:
Funding from the Town Deal is helping us to unlock Bridgwater’s creativity and culture and I am looking forward to seeing bare bricks turned into a tapestry everyone can be proud of.
The team will be working with local schools and other organisations in the first week of public painting between 14 and 18 July.
