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On The Table Read, “the best arts magazine in the UK“, an eye-catching art and poetry mural trail by street artist Angry Dan is a huge success, bringing extra colour to a West Cumbrian town.
Angry Dan
Dan Ryder, known as Angry Dan, is the world-renowned street artist and poet who painted five creative murals on the side of landmark buildings in Cleator Moor celebrating Cumbria’s historic importance as a location for artistic inspiration.
Angry Dan’s spent two weeks creating the artwork that encapsulated the work of world famous artists and poets LS Lowry, William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin and JMW Turner who were all inspired by visits to Cumbria.
Dan, whose work has taken him to Mexico and Iceland in the past year, said: “The aim of the project was to inspire the children of the area by bringing history, culture and local heritage to life through art and poetry, and highlighting how Cumbria was a muse for so many Great British artists and poets like LS Lowry, who included Cleator Moor in five of his paintings.
“We’ve enjoyed engaging with the young people of the area, handing out stickers and postcards to all the kids who have come to see what we’re up to, and it’s been wonderful to see their reactions to the murals.
“It’s been a really worthwhile project and I’m pleased that it’s really struck a chord with lots of the locals.”
West Cumbria
As part of the art and limerick project, Dan held limerick-writing workshops with local children and young people at Montreal Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School and the Phoenix Youth Club.
Filmmaker Rob Key has been documenting Dan’s work on camera, and a premiere of the documentary is set to be held in Cleator Moor.
Angry Dan’s Lakes Limericks Trail was commissioned by Cumbrian company Blank Wall Assassins as part of a programme of community events backed by iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub), a community regeneration initiative which will help create jobs and opportunities in the region.
iSH
John Maddison, managing director of iSH, said: “iSH wants to help communities in West Cumbria grow and unite, and spectacular artwork like this has helped bring the area together and inspire families throughout the town.
“The artwork is wonderful to see and has become a real talking point in the area, and community events like this are about bringing something different to the local area.
“This type of project acts as inspiration and helps raise aspirations among local people, and it has been great to see the town really show their support for the initiative.”
The buildings now featuring the murals are the Columba Club (two murals), Cleator Town Council, the former Chinese Takeaway and a marine ply board at the Phoenix Youth Centre.
About iSH
Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) is an initiative of regional, national and international significance which will create jobs, opportunities for businesses and organisations to collaborate, enhance skills, provide business support, and bring a range of economic and social benefits to the community through projects which will have a positive impact on people, the economy, and the environment.
Based in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, UK, iSH will create a solutions hub where businesses in the region will be able to collaborate and work with other specialist companies from around the UK and the rest of the world on delivering solutions to industry challenges which can then be exported around the globe, helping organisations expand and create further job opportunities.
iSH also aims to create a hub where research and development can take place, ideas can be developed and products manufactured.
Part of the initial funding for the iSH project comes through the Cleator Moor Town Deal. The Town Deal Board, working with Copeland Borough Council, secured an offer of £22.5m from Government in June 2021 to deliver its Town Investment Plan which will help the area and its communities to thrive for years to come.
One of the Investment Plan projects is Enterprising Town, Phase 1 of iSH to develop new facilities at the Leconfield Estate in Cleator Moor in order to harness new employment opportunities for the community and to attract further investment and skills to the area.
The Town Deal project at Leconfield focuses on utilising funding offered by the Government and other sources to create a new, flexible hub and commercial building space as well as improvements and landscaping to the existing site, benefiting both the community and estate tenants through the longer term development of skills and business support.
On July 27, 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement: PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between government, the Lead Council and the Town Deal Board. It will set out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals: list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place: towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
To find out how to get involved with iSH email info@ishco.co.uk
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