A new art project has brightened up one of Maryport’s most useful buildings.
The public toilets on Irish Street, close to the harbourside, have been transformed thanks to local artist Alan Roper, who’s created an eye-catching new artwork which wraps around the building.
The artwork is the first in a serious of projects put together by the new Made In Maryport cultural consortium.
With a colourful Roman theme, the mural on the harbour-side of the structure shows visitors exactly what’s inside – large lettering spells out the word ‘Latrine’, while the wall on the opposite side has the artist’s depiction of a helmet-wearing soldier.
Alan is a graphic designer who trained at Carlisle College and Newcastle University. He lives in Maryport, teaches art, and has carried out other mural projects in the town.
One of the most prominent is at The Settlement education and creative hub – which saw him featured on BBC Countryfile – and he’s worked for organisations like the local Scouts, as well as taking on commissions in private homes and gardens.
The artwork, made possible by a Maryport High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) grant, is the first project to be publicly unveiled under the Made in Maryport banner.
It’s the brainchild of the Maryport Arts and Heritage Partnership – a group made up of Allerdale Borough Council, Senhouse Roman Museum, Maryport Maritime Museum, The Settlement, the Cultura Trust which owns the Camp Farm Roman site, Cumbria County Council, Yan Tan Tethera Creative company and The Maryporters community group.
Maryport’s HSHAZ programme is funded by Historic England, Allerdale Borough Council and Sellafield as well as property owners. The plans include the restoration of key historic buildings, bringing vacant floor space back into use, with shop fronts being revived to improve the character of the high street.
Karen Thompson, who heads up Yan Tan Tethera Creative, said: “The artistic brief was to create something which was a celebration of Maryport’s heritage.
“I think it’s fabulous –it’s vibrant, celebrates our history, and has a real sense of humour.”
She also says there are other art initiatives to come, featuring oral history, film, photography, painting and more, as part of the HAZ project.
Karen added: “It is important that the project showcases Maryport, but also that it actively supports creatives like Alan who are based in the town. here is a growing creative community in the town and Made In Maryport aims to help them with networking, training and project development.
“It is fundamental to the project that the burgeoning Maryport artistic community is benefiting from this funding.”
Artist Alan says he’s pleased to have created the first artwork, he said: “This will now kickstart other projects in the town. I loved the commission and have really enjoyed getting involved.”
