Art trail and real ale help pull in punters
MURALS BRIGHTEN UP CITY PUBS, CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL TO COME
BEER gardens around the city have been given makeovers as part of the new Art on Tap trail featuring colourful murals by local and international artists.
Business organisation BID Leicester has funded the trail, working with ArtReach to commission works in pub gardens around the city centre.
Murals by seven artists can be found in the city, as follows:
■ Laura Parker, at The Tree, High Street;
■ Katie Fishlock, at The Parcel Yard, London Road;
■ Zoe Power, at the Rutland & Derby, Millstone Lane;
■ Rosie and Ramona, at Knight & Garter, Hotel Street;
■ The Rebel Bear, at The Queen of Bradgate, High Street;
■ Oliwia Bober, at Bruxelles Leicester, High Street;
■ Tinuke Fagboran, at The Tree, High Street – to be painted soon.
The artworks have a theme of reconnection, with nature, people around us and ourselves.
Full descriptions of the artists and meanings behind each mural can be found by following the Art on Tap Trail on the LoyalFree app.
As well as brightening up the spaces, the trail has been designed to support pubs and bars with reopening and attracting customers after the pandemic.
BID Leicester director Simon Jenner said: “As the city’s beer gardens welcome customers this summer, visitors can enjoy colourful and inspiring murals in locations where we would not usually expect to see art.
“After a difficult year for pubs and bars, the Art on Tap trail will move customers around the city and drive footfall directly into businesses, as people seek out all of these artworks and enjoy a few drinks in some of the city’s great venues.
“It’s great timing for the trail to go live in the run up to Leicester’s first Craft Beer festival, Brew Beat, running this bank holiday weekend.
“Visitors to the city will be able to enjoy not only the wonderful artworks but also live music and more than 100 craft beers across the city.”
Amy James, manager at The Tree, said: “We’re so happy to be able to host artworks as part of the Art on Tap trail.
“Laura is so talented, and it was great to get to know her and see her working.
“The mural has brought a new lease of life and a splash of colour to our garden.
“It’s already been a hit with customers and we look forward to having a second mural and welcoming some new faces to The Tree as people explore all the Art on Tap trail locations.”
“It’s wonderful to be able to have my work on display in such an unusual location,” said Oliwia Bober. It makes me happy to know people will be able to enjoy this artwork while socialising and having fun in the city after such a difficult time.
“I hope it will be the background of pictures from great days and nights out for years to come.”