Turning gable ends into gallery walls: new murals to bring colour and creativity to Gateshead
Local artists and residents are coming together to transform Gateshead with colourful new murals as part of Gateshead Council's ambition to breathe new life into public spaces and shape culture for everyone, everywhere.
With funding from the UK Government's Pride in Place Impact Fund, the council has plans for two exciting creative projects - one based in the town centre and another borough-wide - that will begin taking shape over the coming months.
Lindsay Murray, Service Director for Economic Development and Regeneration, shared:
"This is huge news for Gateshead and our communities. Public art is more than decoration, it helps revitalise neighbourhoods and boost local economies. We've seen the difference the new murals in the Railway Quarter have made to that area and now it's time to recreate this buzz on an even bigger scale right across the borough. We have so much passion and creativity locally, and we want to harness this to turn gable ends into gallery walls."
One of the projects 'Off the Walls' will see Electrik Sheep - a partnership between renowned local artists Mul and Prefab77 - bring together some of the best urban artists to give several blank walls in the town centre a makeover. The duo shared:
"At the heart of our practice is a shared belief that public art can positively transform towns and cities. Street art often emerges in places that feel undervalued: disused buildings, and transitional spaces that sit between what a place has been and what it could become. Public art has globally reshaped perceptions of place, reignited civic pride and attracted renewed cultural and economic energy. Closer to home, areas such as North Shields and Ouseburn show how locally rooted street art can reconnect communities with their environment and reinforce a sense of identity, value and care."
Separately, popular local mural artist Mark One87, Creative Director of Elements Arts, will get underway with a series of vibrant artworks to reenergise local areas across the borough. MarkOne87 added:
"I'm looking forward to bringing some new energy to spaces around Gateshead and working with the local community to bring new life into their environment. Public art is a powerful tool and I can't wait to inject some more colour and creativity into Gateshead alongside local people. Our last project in the Railway Quarter received such a positive reaction and proved the case for how engaging with communities can bring the right results. It'll be great to continue this legacy going forward."
Across both projects, residents will get the chance to play a part in reimagining where they live, work and visit by inspiring the designs. Local artists will also be invited to get involved and showcase their talents.
Suitable sites where as many people as possible will be able to marvel at the soon-to-be creations will be chosen alongside communities, with spray paint and brushes expected to be set to work soon after.
This latest initiative builds on artwork that has recently appeared elsewhere in Gateshead created by MarkOne87, Sune and Ida4, shaped by local people. The freshly transformed arches in the Railway Quarter have proved a hit with locals and are poised to provide a vibrant backdrop for the council's new event space in the town centre.
These bold investments form part of the council's ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre and borough. In recent months, the council has been awarded Purple Flag status in recognition of their efforts to make visiting the town centre a safer, more appealing experience, as well as launching a bid for Town of Culture 2028 backed by the local creative community.
Local artists and residents are coming together to transform Gateshead with colourful new murals as part of Gateshead Council's ambition to breathe new life into public spaces and shape culture for everyone, everywhere.
With funding from the UK Government's Pride in Place Impact Fund, the council has plans for two exciting creative projects - one based in the town centre and another borough-wide - that will begin taking shape over the coming months.
Lindsay Murray, Service Director for Economic Development and Regeneration, shared:
"This is huge news for Gateshead and our communities. Public art is more than decoration, it helps revitalise neighbourhoods and boost local economies. We've seen the difference the new murals in the Railway Quarter have made to that area and now it's time to recreate this buzz on an even bigger scale right across the borough. We have so much passion and creativity locally, and we want to harness this to turn gable ends into gallery walls."
One of the projects 'Off the Walls' will see Electrik Sheep - a partnership between renowned local artists Mul and Prefab77 - bring together some of the best urban artists to give several blank walls in the town centre a makeover. The duo shared:
"At the heart of our practice is a shared belief that public art can positively transform towns and cities. Street art often emerges in places that feel undervalued: disused buildings, and transitional spaces that sit between what a place has been and what it could become. Public art has globally reshaped perceptions of place, reignited civic pride and attracted renewed cultural and economic energy. Closer to home, areas such as North Shields and Ouseburn show how locally rooted street art can reconnect communities with their environment and reinforce a sense of identity, value and care."
Separately, popular local mural artist Mark One87, Creative Director of Elements Arts, will get underway with a series of vibrant artworks to reenergise local areas across the borough. MarkOne87 added:
"I'm looking forward to bringing some new energy to spaces around Gateshead and working with the local community to bring new life into their environment. Public art is a powerful tool and I can't wait to inject some more colour and creativity into Gateshead alongside local people. Our last project in the Railway Quarter received such a positive reaction and proved the case for how engaging with communities can bring the right results. It'll be great to continue this legacy going forward."
Across both projects, residents will get the chance to play a part in reimagining where they live, work and visit by inspiring the designs. Local artists will also be invited to get involved and showcase their talents.
Suitable sites where as many people as possible will be able to marvel at the soon-to-be creations will be chosen alongside communities, with spray paint and brushes expected to be set to work soon after.
This latest initiative builds on artwork that has recently appeared elsewhere in Gateshead created by MarkOne87, Sune and Ida4, shaped by local people. The freshly transformed arches in the Railway Quarter have proved a hit with locals and are poised to provide a vibrant backdrop for the council's new event space in the town centre.
These bold investments form part of the council's ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre and borough. In recent months, the council has been awarded Purple Flag status in recognition of their efforts to make visiting the town centre a safer, more appealing experience, as well as launching a bid for Town of Culture 2028 backed by the local creative community.
