Author: Linda Gorman
Youth Centre - Market Street Car Park Mural
Monday, 10th December, 2007 at 12:18 pm, Isle of Wight
Thanks to Linda for getting in touch about this new proposal, which in our view looks great and well worth commenting on. Ed
Please take a moment to look at the design for a Mural which has been chosen from three (see below), by young people using the Youth Centre for our wall which faces onto Market Street car park. The design has been contributed to by young people of Ventnor and pulled together into an overall design by local artist Nathan Holt.
The financing of the project has come from the Local Network Fund who agree with us that it will help the young people to have a sense of ownership and pride in the Centre as a place for them in the community. We hope to add some luscious greenery along the base of the mural when it is finished, which we hope will prompt further regeneration.
We are aiming to start the work on the wall in January. The first part will be to tidy up the window frames and fascias and to prepare the wall for painting. The adult artists will then begin their work translating the design onto the wall. The only part the young people will be able to play here is painting the lowest part of the wall i.e. feet on the ground – due to health and safety regulations.
We’d like to invite you to let us know how this project impacts on you. For example, can you see it from where you live, or work, or do you walk past during the day?
What do you think, comparing the pictures of the wall as it is now and the proposal? Let us know what you think by adding a comment to this posting.
Thank you for your time and support.
Linda Gorman on behalf of the Management Committee and Friends of Ventnor Youth Centre
PS If anyone would like to join us in supporting projects for young people via the Youth Centre, Victoria Street, we’d love to hear from you.
And here’s the wall as it is at the moment
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December 10th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I think the design is hideous, back to the drawingboard please.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
As the owner of one of only two (by my reckoning) properties that looks directly at the new mural - ie one of the flats in the new Clarendon Press development at the opposite end of the car park - I felt that you would appreciate some feedback from me.
I personally think that the chosen design looks fantastic and I would love to see it from my window every morning.
Unfortunately I don’t live in the property, I rent it out and therefore my opinions don’t really matter.
From a purely practical perspective I have to ask myself; “does this proposed mural appeal to everyone’s tastes or could it be the case that it may put off any future potential tenants or buyers?”
As a property owner whose property adjoins the car park I have more than a vested interest in the appearance, upkeep, policing and general regeneration of the Market Street area of Ventnor. With this in mind I would have to say that I wouldn’t be happy with the current design adorning such a large publicly visible area.
What are the plans for maintaining a mural on the wall? How do I know that it won’t be left to the elements and actually not look very nice in five years’ time?
I do agree that the current rear wall of the Youth Club is unsightly and leaving it as it is is probably the least preferable option.
I would not like to be taken as someone with a bit of a ‘NIMBY’ attitude on this either. As I said earlier I personally quite like the design but I would have to question how appropriate this design is for as large a public space as is being proposed, whether it be in sight of my property or not.
I grew up in Ventnor and unfortunately don’t live there now, but I regularly used the facilities at Ventnor Youth Club and would love to continue being involved in supporting youth projects in the town. If there’s anything I can do remotely (ie from London) feel free to contact me.
I hope the comments I made above and my offer of help aren’t contradictory. I just don’t think that this particular mural is the correct way of regenerating this area and helping the youth of the town.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
really good idea by a really good artist. looks good and cant wait to see it. nice one nath
February 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Let the children have something they like , not us oldies preference.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
For years the kids in the youth club have had to look out on a derelict pub and nobody bothered then, if this is what they want on their building, I say Yeah!!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 10:58 am
[...] plans were for the mural to cover the entire wall, but due to the predicted huge maintenance costs and some other factors it was decided to keep the [...]