More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Famous artist Mr Doodle is to create an eye-catching town centre mural as part of a new art trail designed to brighten up blank walls.
The internationally renowned artist from Tenterden will doodle across Park Street in Ashford for a new project called UNFRAMED.
It is yet to be revealed where exactly the 28-year-old will be working, but he is set to spend up to five days in Park Street.
The trail, which will feature 14 pieces, is being set up by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in a bid to improve the look of drab walls across the town centre.
Other artists set to use Ashford as their canvas will include sculptor Alex Chinneck who previously turned part of the former Kent Wool Growers site into a zip, and Snowdog artist Danielle Williamson.
Students from Ashford College will also get to make their mark on the town centre with a mural in Station Approach and Station Road.
Some of the artists will start working on their pieces from today, with the final murals completed in the lead-up to the launch event at Coachworks in Dover Place on Friday, March 31.
The event, taking place between 4pm and 10pm, will be free to attend and will include family-friendly art workshops, a panel discussion and live DJ.
The festival will then run through the Easter holidays (April 1 to April 16), with bosses putting on walking tours, a film programme at the Picturehouse at Elwick Place, and family friendly art workshops.
Organisers say all of the artworks will be within walking distance of each other and those taking part will be able to pick up a map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room in Bank Street, Picturehouse or The Craftship in Park Mall.
Once complete, the pieces are expected to remain in place for a short while after the festival ends, with many continuing to be on show longer term.
The artists taking part are:
ABC says the project is being supported by the government, with a budget of £25,000 coming from the 'UK Shared Prosperity Fund'.
Cabinet member Cllr Nathan Iliffe (Con) said: “I am very excited to welcome so many brilliant artists to Ashford as part of our first-ever mural festival.
"Murals are an excellent way to showcase creative talent as well as redeveloping blank walls in town centres, making them more attractive and safer spaces to be in.
"I hope that residents and visitors pick up their maps and take part in the trail this April and that people continue to enjoy the works for a long time to come.”
Last year, Mr Doodle – whose real name is Sam Cox – covered his 12-room St Michaels mansion in hand-drawn squiggles.
In 2018, the Snowdog art trail in Ashford town centre proved a success, raising £142,000 for Pilgrims Hospice.
