Since September, an art teacher from Salisbury has been livening up Old George Mall by painting inspiring murals on the 11 walls of Pepy’s Walk.
Samantha Redmill, 50, teaches art at Bishops Wordsworth’s school, and is excited to transform this colourless area of the city centre through her artwork.
“This is a really dark, dingy, alleyway, it’s quite scary down there! So I wanted to make it bright, interesting and fun to walk down”, she told the Journal.
The first wall in Pepy’s walk is almost finished, one of 11 that Samantha hopes to complete.
It has been decorated with leaves and flowers in dazzling and vibrant colours - a novelty for those walking through Old George Mall.
“I love nature, bringing something from the countryside into the city - it brings people joy.” she said.
It was decorated with a countryside landscape, similar in concept but different in style.
“I think I can put my hand to lots of different styles. I have lots of ideas!” she told the Journal, “I’d like kids get some pleasure out of it as well, I want to do something big - butterfly wings and things like that - so kids can come and have their photograph taken.”
She encourages a team effort, and so far has had a number of Year 13 art students helping out on a Friday. She also plans to involve students from other schools.
One of her students, Poppy Freer, has been keen to get involved from the start.
“Mrs Redmill is my art teacher, and she asked for volunteers from Year 13 and I seized the chance. I thought it would be really fun to do!”
And, like her teacher, she hopes it will be a positive addition to Old George Mall.
“It brings some colour, some vibrancy, and lots of people have been stopping to talk- it makes a community as well”
Members of the public have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the walls so far, and many have stopped by to compliment Samantha and her students on their hard work.
“It’s making a lot of people smile,” Samantha told the Journal, “I’ve had so many people saying ‘this has brightened my day’ - and that’s why I do it.”
Samantha wanted to express a particular thanks to the public for their donations, and Salisbury BID, who have partnered with her to fund the costs.
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