New Hatters-themed artwork in Edgeley reaches completion
By Alasdair Perry
5th Mar 2024 | Local News
It's all happening in Edgeley. Recent passers by may well have noticed the new Hatters-themed mural as it inched its way up the wall of a building near the Armoury roundabout.
Today (Tuesday 5 March), after weeks of meticulous work, the mural was officially completed and unveiled in a ceremony, with a number of special guests.
The mural is located at the junction of Castle Street and Mercian Way. Spray paint artist Oskar and poet Ruth Awolola spearheaded the design, writing and painting of the artwork, enlisting help from 12 talented local secondary school pupils in the process.
Also involved was John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT - the local art studio - as well as local councillors and representatives from County.
Even members of the County squad got involved; present at the opening ceremony were Tanto Olaofe, Myles Hippolyte, and Odin Bailey. Ethan Pye even lent a hand a few weeks ago as the project was underway.
Speaking to Nub News at the time, Ethan said: "It's amazing - it's great for the community, especially with the kids getting involved.
"On match days - or any day, really - thousands of people are going to see this."
The artwork pays homage to the club's anthem 'The Scarf My Father Wore', about a much-loved scarf being passed down through generations of Hatters fans.
The project has been funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund - £14,800 in all. It is a collaboration between County, GRIT Studios and The Writing Squad.
Artist Oskar has appeared on The One Show, and has worked for clients such as O2, Rudy's Neapolitan, BT, and more.
Ruth is a winner of the National Youth Slam competition, and has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe, Hay Literature Festival, and more.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tom Mahon - chief operating officer at Stockport County - said: "We're really pleased and proud to be part of this. I've been at the club for a year now, and the sense of community, in Edgeley, Stockport and the club, is clear and present for all to see."
"We, as a club, are very proud to be rooted in Edgeley. We'll contintue to be rooted in Edgeley. This is hopefully a signal of intent from us as a club and what we want to be able to bring to the community, and the role we want to play in this part of Stockport."
John Macaulay, from GRIT, said: "I love street art, because it brings art outside the gallery. I never went to art galleries when I was a kid, and about 70 percent of people nowadays don't go. So, street art is a great way to bring art to people and get them interested. [...]
"It's been great working with the young people, as well. You never know - there might be a few future Banksys knocking around Stockport in 10 or 20 years time."
Poet Ruth said: "It's been amazing. It's been great to meet the young people, to get to know them, to hear about their connections to the club. It's been really collaborative, and I think that's born from what Stockport County do - they get really involved in the community.
"The community has been very accepting, helping us out with the project and talking to us as we were producing it."
Artist Oskar said: "It's really lovely to be part of a proper community project. Getting young people to be creative, getting them using spray paint for the first time and to do something for the community that they're really proud of."
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