Houghton-le-Spring’s Rectory Park to get new mural artwork

Located in Houghton-le-Spring’s Rectory Park, the artwork was created by artist Sally Anderson in collaboration with the community through the Cultural Spring Community Arts Research project.

The project is all about communities having time and space to develop genuine relationships with artists in order to co-create amazing artwork.

Ms Anderson said: “I spoke to several groups and dozens of people to find out what the park meant to them.

“I took along some arts and crafts activities to encourage them to talk to me and let me know their thoughts, their memories and feelings about the park.

“The groups included youth clubs, cake and chat sessions and general drop-ins so I managed to talk to people of all ages.

“So many had an affinity for the park and there were so many different responses to the question.

“I met some lovely people and enjoyed hearing their stories.”

The project, based around the question ‘What does Rectory Park mean to you?’, gathered input from residents through sessions supported by Acumen Buildings, Houghton-le-Spring Residents CIC, and Space 4.

After exploring ideas for community-led artwork, a mural emerged as the preferred option.

“That was phase one,” Ms Anderson said.

“The second phase was about co-creation.

“We spoke about what we could do with the views we’d gathered.

“Choices included some sort of activism or some sort of garden, but we chose a mural.”

Measuring around seven feet by six feet, the mural is painted on plywood and will be installed in the bottom section of Rectory Park.

Ms Anderson said: “Ideas for the mural came from a lot of people – inspiration came from a cherry tree in the park, and a rose garden.

“Further inspiration came from Houghton Feast and signage in the mural is designed like fairground signs as a nod to the Feast.”

The installation of the new mural will be completed over the coming weeks.

County Durham-born Ms Anderson studied art and design at New College, Durham.

She later pursued a career in performance art before returning to visual art during the pandemic.

She now runs art workshops and sessions and also facilitates groups and corporate workshops.

Residents wishing to learn more about Ms Anderson and her work can visit www.sallyandersonart.com.