A vibrant new community mural has been unveiled at Brierton Lane shops, turning a previously vandalised wall into a colourful celebration of creativity and local pride.
The artwork was designed and created by Durham Spray Paints, working closely with children from the youth club at Kilmarnock Road Children and Young People Family Resource Centre. The project replaces a wall that had been repeatedly targeted by vandalism in recent years, creating instead a welcoming focal point for the area.
Lewis Hobson, Founder of Durham Spray Paints, said: “This project has been all about giving young people a voice and showing how art can positively change a space. The children brought some fantastic ideas to the workshops, and it’s been brilliant to help turn those ideas into something the whole community can enjoy.”
The mural was developed through a series of hands-on workshops, giving young people the opportunity to share their ideas, learn new artistic skills and collaborate on the final design. The completed artwork reflects their creativity and aspirations while significantly improving the appearance of a previously problematic site.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This mural is a great example of what can be achieved when our local community work together. It not only improves the look of the area but also helps young people feel proud of where they live and more connected to their community.”
Lynette Stokes, who runs the youth club at Kilmarnock Road Children and Young People Family Resource Centre, added: “The children have absolutely loved being involved in this project. Working with a professional artist has been a real confidence boost for them, and seeing their ideas come to life on such a large scale has been incredibly rewarding.”
The Brierton Lane mural joins a growing collection of public artworks across Hartlepool, complementing the series of murals installed in recent years, including many on the Headland.